School Board Approves 2024-25 Tentative Budget

The 2024-25 spending plan for Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) approved May 20 by the Fayette County Board of Education continues to align spending with the district's strategic plan and to prioritize services to students. Building on last year’s historic investments in staff, this plan also provides new wellness options for employees, including the addition of a paid parental leave policy.  

The 2024-25 Tentative Budget invests 73% of the total General Fund budget into schools and classrooms for the benefit of students. 

"Budgets are more than mere figures. They reflect our priorities and values," said Superintendent Demetrus Liggins. "This year's budget demonstrates our commitment to our students and the exceptional employees who dedicate themselves to supporting and educating them every day." 

As a result, school board members invested $6.7 million to ensure that all members of Team FCPS receive a step increase in education and experience.

Highlights:

• Introduction of more diverse benefit and wellness initiatives as recommended by the Fayette County Education Association (FCEA), including: 

  • Paid parental leave for employees, allowing new parents (including birthing, non-birthing, and adoptive parents) to take up to 35 days of paid leave -- a first for FCPS. In addition to maintaining the highest starting teacher salary in Kentucky, this move makes Fayette County the largest school district in the Commonwealth with paid parental leave, having the most robust parental leave policy of any district in the state.

  • Employer-paid long-term disability plan - an estimated $800,000 investment.

  • Commitment to provide wellness specialists for FCPS employees, including  $400,000 in support to schools.

• A $250 supply budget for each classroom teacher - an estimated $1 million investment in our classrooms.

• Adoption of new districtwide English Language Arts and Math curriculum  - a $5.8 million investment.

• Approved, scheduled step increases for all eligible employees - estimated $6.7 million budgetary impact that will build off of last year’s average 8% pay raise.

• Estimated $1.7 million in investments for student and staff development through AVID, dual-credit opportunities, and the district’s “Grow Your Own” program.

• $900,000 estimated for the Audrey Grevious Center, in partnership with the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government.

• Startup staffing costs for two new schools - the Hub for Innovative Learning & Leadership (The HILL) and Mary E. Britton Middle School.

“We recognize that an investment in our employees is an investment in our students,” Liggins said. “Supporting employee wellness and offering paid parental leave is a big step forward to ensure that Fayette County educators and staff can be the best versions of themselves, which in return positively impacts our students.” 

During the budget development process, the school board members were actively involved in reviewing priorities, evaluating expenditures, and maintaining a steadfast commitment to being good stewards of public dollars. 

“On the heels of historic investments in our students, teachers, staff, and infrastructure, the board agreed that Fayette County Public Schools has developed a proposed spending plan for the 2024-25 fiscal year that will sustain those commitments to invest in our students and continue elevating the education profession. We can fulfill these commitments while maintaining strong financial standing and fiscal stewardship,” said Chair Tyler Murphy.

View the FY25 Tentative Budget

Last year’s historic investments made our district the first in Kentucky to set starting teacher salaries above $50,000 for Rank III teachers contracted for 189 days. Highlights from last year’s investments, which continue to positively impact students and staff include:

• $8.9 million in additional teaching and professional staff to provide services to students, including fine arts instructors, school nurses, school bus drivers, coaches, interventionists, paraeducators, and specialists for students who receive gifted and talented, special education, and multilingual services.

• $900,000 toward enhancing early childhood education, opening more preschool classrooms, and expanding offerings in some special programs.

• $448,000 to expand innovative programming and college and career exploration activities.

“The 2024-25 Tentative Budget is a bridge to our future, ensuring that practices and initiatives that are proven successful in accelerating student success will continue so our students have the tools, resources, and support they need to excel,” Murphy said. “In anticipation of conservative state funding, along with the upcoming sunset of federal ESSER dollars, this 2024-25 Tentative Budget proposal reflects careful consideration and targeted resource allocation to meet the needs of all FCPS students and staff. In this budget, the board continues its multi-year focus to sustain our shared work, to serve our students, and support our staff so that Fayette County Public Schools continues to set the standard for academic and teaching excellence in Kentucky."