Today’s speaker, Demetrus Liggins, joined Fayette County Public Schools as superintendent in July of 2021. A recent contract extension ensures he will remain in that role until June 30, 2029. He began his career as a high school English and English as a Second Language teacher in Fresno, California, before moving back to Texas to serve as a dual language teacher and later an assistant principal in the Nacogdoches Independent School District. He also served as an elementary school principal in Corsicana Independent School District, a middle school principal in Lancaster Independent School District and in Mansfield Independent School District, and a high school principal in Grand Prairie Independent School District, where he later served as an area superintendent. Just prior to the move to Lexington, Liggins served for four years as superintendent of schools in Greenville Independent School District, an urban district of roughly 6,000 students outside of Dallas, Texas. Prior to his arrival, Greenville ISD had a “D” rating and faced fiscal challenges. Under his leadership, the district dramatically improved its academic and fiscal performance, earning a “B” overall, and a “Superior” rating for financial management from the Texas Education Agency. Liggins, who is bilingual, led several innovative world language initiatives in Greenville, including a citywide literacy program in English and Spanish and a dual language program that created a pathway for students to learn academic content in both languages. Other programs initiated during Liggins’ tenure included an elementary STEM academy, an Early College High School where students concurrently earn a high school diploma and an associate degree, and a partnership with Texas A&M Commerce that provides a pathway to college for every Greenville ISD graduate and free tuition for students from low-income families. In 2020, the National School Public Relations Association tapped Liggins as a Superintendent to Watch for his fast-paced leadership and strong communication skills. He was also spotlighted as an Inspiring Leader by the Texas Association of School Administrators and received the Phi Delta Kappa Distinguished Leadership Award for Texas A&M University Commerce in 2019. Liggins served on the Texas Association of School Administrators’ Race, Equity, and Diversity committee, and was one of five finalists statewide for the prestigious H-E-B Outstanding School Board award. He also completed the American Association of School Administrators National Superintendent Certification Program in 2020, as one of only three Texas superintendents in his cohort. A native of Longview, Texas, Liggins holds a bachelor’s degree in education and master’s degree in English from California State University in Fresno, a master’s degree in education from Stephen F. Austin State University, and a doctorate degree in K-16 educational leadership and policy from the University of Texas-Arlington.
ROTARY IN REVIEW:
FCPS MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT ON OUR CHILDREN AND COMMUNITY
Dr. Demetrus Liggins, Superintendent of the Fayette County Public School System (FCPS), was the Rotary Club’s speaker on February 13. He discussed the current state of the public county school system, the second largest employer in the area, behind only the University of Kentucky. Over half of students receive free or reduced lunch from the largest “restaurant” in the area, with 39,416 students served daily. With an annual budget of $671 million, FCPS in turn has a $291 million economic impact on central Kentucky. Of that budget, $58.5 million goes to instruction and 85 percent of the budget is for salary and benefits, which is consistent with both pre-collegiate and collegiate operating budgets.
Liggins focused on the “Return on Investment” FCPS provides through student opportunities at almost seventy schools and special programs. These include specialized programs such as the Carter G. Woodson Academy, Rise STEM Academy for Girls, Locust Trace Agricultural Sciences Center, and The Stables. These provide specialized instruction in such areas as pre-engineering, health sciences, foreign languages, and visual and performing arts.
He then discussed several new schools and programs that are in the works. Through the largest federal grant awarded in this area, three existing schools, Breckenridge and Harrison Elementary Schools and Crawford Middle School, will be converted to magnet schools. Of particular note is that Crawford’s Leadership Academy for Leadership, Literacies, and Civic Engagement will be the first in the country to offer the civic engagement component. Mary E. Britton Middle School, across from Baptist Health’s Hamburg campus, will be the largest middle school in the state with about 1,200 students. Finally, The Hill will provide state-of-the-art technical education to students in central Kentucky through 24 hour-a-day learning opportunities. The Hill is partnering with the Community and Technical College System to provide GED and certification programs. Dr. Liggins said that these—and future—programs would not be possible without the civic engagement of the Lexington community.
Liggins turned next to what he called “learning lost” as a result of the pandemic. Citing a national study conducted by Auburn and Stanford Universities, he noted that students in the United States lost, on average, half a grade level in math and one-third of a grade in reading. He proudly noted that Fayette County schools have been able to exceed national averages in closing these gaps in both math and reading.
Dr. Liggins then reviewed the Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) data, the state’s “report card” on how well public schools perform. Possible ratings range from very low to very high. He proudly reported that no Fayette County Public Schools are on the list needing comprehensive improvement. (Louisville’s public school system—Jefferson County—has nineteen on the CSI list.) Since 2018, no area schools have been flagged for low achievement of African American, Hispanic or economically disadvantaged students.
The CSI report also reflects on college readiness. Kentucky is one of a few states which provide the ACT to all 11th graders if they are interested. While FCPS is responsible for only 6.5% of Kentucky students, it produced 32% of the highest achievers on the ACT. Part of the reason for this success is the Advanced Placement Program (AP) and dual credit program with higher education institutions. In 2022, nearly 3,500 students took AP and/or dual credit courses. By 2024, that number had grown to almost 4,200 students. Career readiness is also emphasized. Three years ago, 524 students received 549 certificates. Last year those numbers had tripled with more than 1,700 students earning nearly 3,100 certificates. These special opportunities result in a savings of $19 million in college costs to families.
Dr. Liggins concluded his remarks by briefly reviewing the 5-cent property tax for safety, which resulted in $107 million for facility upgrades, safety support and mental health support services. He said this has helped schools to be a safe place to belong. Fayette County Public Schools are making a positive impact on our students and our community.
