January 9, 2023

As part of our commitment to open and transparent communication, we are pleased to share the "Board Meeting Brief," which is sent out after each school board planning work session.

BOARD MEMBER SWEARING-IN

Prior to the start of the Fayette County Board of Education meeting, the district officially celebrated the election of District 2 School Board member Tyler Murphy and District 4 School Board member Amanda Ferguson on November 8, 2022, with a reception and swearing-in ceremony.

District 2 Board Member Tyler Murphy was sworn in by the Honorable Judge Pamela Goodwine.

District 4 Board Member Amanda Ferguson was sworn in by Attorney Karen Walker.

ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR

With the change in the composition of the Fayette County Board of Education, board members were required to elect officers. By unanimous decision, Tyler Murphy was re-elected as chair and Amy Green was re-elected as vice chair.

TEACHER SALARIES

Following a suggestion from School Board Member Tom Jones, the board discussed ways to raise teacher salaries using a portion of money in the district's carry-forward budget that has not been obligated to other expenses.

Possibilities discussed included a one-time payment, a 1% raise in addition to the 3% increase all employees received this school year, or a potentially larger raise based on the results of a compensation study currently underway.

All board members voiced a commitment to paying teachers more and to continuing the conversation.

• Listen to the discussion
• See the proposals here

DISTRICT 1 VACANCY

Board members voted unanimously Monday to disqualify individuals who failed to meet the published deadline for submitting applications for the District 1 school board seat.

Applications were accepted through 5 p.m. on Dec. 23, and community input about the key characteristics and priorities for the new board member was collected through Dec. 31. Both opportunities were promoted in direct communications to families, employees, and community members, as well as newspaper ads, media coverage, and online solicitations through social media, news websites, and the district website.

Four individuals submitted complete applications and met statutory eligibility requirements for the board seat. One has since rescinded his application, leaving the following three candidates:

• Marilyn Clark, a supplier diversity manager at the University of Kentucky, who previously held similar roles with Fayette County Public Schools and the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government;
• Edward Dixon, a senior decision support analyst at the University of Kentucky and former state contractor; and
• William Swope Jr., a retired state fire marshal and former Lexington assistant fire chief.

Review their applications here

Read a summary of community input

Following the board meeting Monday, Clark, Dixon, and Swope participated in a forum led by students from the district's six high schools. The forum aired live on the FCPS YouTube channel and can be viewed here.

WHAT IS A SCHOOL BOARD PLANNING WORK SESSION?

The Fayette County Board of Education meets twice a month. The planning work session is an opportunity to receive extended presentations, review the agenda for the action meeting later in the month, and provide time for board members to ask questions and hold discussions with staff. The action meeting is when the board votes on proposed items.

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?

Click here to see the full agenda.

Click here to listen to the entire meeting.