School board chair defends controversial tax vote that could trigger state audit
Fayette school board chairman Tyler Murphy on Friday defended the school district in the face of a threatened state audit, lawmakers' criticism and a Kentucky attorney general's opinion of unlawfulness.
'FCPS is not the problem. In fact, we've stepped up time and again to fill the gap left by misplaced priorities at the state and federal levels, recognizing that our public schools remain the bedrock of our community and our local economy,' Murphy said in a Facebook post.
Republican Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman ruled Wednesday the school board failed to provide the legally required notice to the public before its May 27 meeting and vote to ask the fiscal court to raise the occupational license tax for schools.
On Friday, Fayette Superintendent Demetrus Liggins said the school board will hold a second vote on June 23. The school board will also a public hearing on a yet to be announced day on raising the tax.
Parents and other people in the community, Democrats and Republicans, have expressed concerns about a lack of transparency in how the school board handled the vote. Notice of a May 27 vote was made known to the public only when it was attached to an online meeting agenda on the Memorial Day weekend before.
Some have raised concerns about the school board's process, others about the possibility of a tax rate increase, and many others about the district's budget shortfall.
Republican Kentucky Auditor Allison Ball said Thursday she is considering a financial examination or audit of the school district.
Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe, R-Lexington, and Rep. Matt Lockett, R-Nicholasville are among those criticizing the district for a lack of transparency. Bledsoe asked for the AG opinion and talked to Ball about conducting a state audit.
That drew a rebuke from Murphy.
'We don't need lectures from those pushing policies that harm working families and children,' he said.
'Our community rejected voucher schemes at the ballot box, and our community will continue to defend public education from political theatrics designed to distract and divide,' he said.
'While we always welcome dialogue and feedback that help us improve, it's important that the conversation begins with facts and reflects the reality of the work happening in our schools each day.'
According to the attorney general's opinion, the school board's 3-2 vote to ask the Fayette Fiscal Court to increase school tax rates on residents and businesses' net income from 0.5% to 0.75% was improper. That's because, under state law, school boards must notify the public and hold a formal hearing before voting on new or increased taxes.
Fayette school district officials argue the vote was legal and the tax increase was needed to cover a $16 million budget shortfall.
The district recently approved an $848 million tentative budget for 2025-2026.
The reality is that FCPS is a district with real momentum, he said:
▪ The district has received five consecutive perfect financial audits from independent, outside auditors, demonstrating responsible fiscal stewardship.
▪ Not a single FCPS school is labeled 'underperforming.'
▪ Though FCPS educates 6% of Kentucky's students, Fayette students account for 34% of the state's highest academic performers.
▪ The district continues to narrow opportunity gaps for student groups who have historically been underserved, improving outcomes in academic achievement, access to advanced coursework and readiness for college, careers, and life.
▪ FCPS maintains a financial transparency dashboard where anyone can track the district's expenses and budget. He said FCPS is on budget and in the black for FY2025. https://www.fcps.net/about/transparency/financial-report
'While we are proud of the progress being made, we are equally committed to transparency and continuous improvement. We know we must keep raising the bar for ourselves, in how we communicate, how we govern, and how we deliver on the promise of public education,' Murphy said
'That said, it's hard to ignore the broader political landscape. At a time when Washington and Frankfort are plagued by division, and decisions are too often made to benefit the powerful few, public schools have become a convenient target.'
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