Fayette County board authorizes chair to negotiate acting superintendent addendum, approves finance job description; public raises audit concerns

The Fayette County Board of Education on July 6 authorized Chair Tyler Murphy to negotiate a contract addendum for acting superintendent Dr. Bill Bradford and approved a job description for a Director of Finance as part of the planning meeting's consent items and motions.

Authorize negotiating addendum: The board heard staff explain that Dr. Bradford is serving as acting superintendent while Dr. Liggins is on leave and that a contract addendum is needed to clarify compensation and other details. The board voted to authorize the chair to negotiate the addendum subject to later board approval; the motion carried 5–0 (motion by Board Member Greene, second by Board Member Christian).

Audit contract and consent items: During review of the consent agenda, Board Member Greene asked about the district’s RFP for annual auditing services. Interim Chief Financial Officer Kina Co told the board the district paid about $130,000 for last year’s audit and the new firm’s bid of $125,000 is in line with expectations; the engagement is for one year with the option to renew up to five years. Co said the RFP response came from a firm that has regional experience but has not previously done many Kentucky school district audits. The board approved the planning‑meeting consent items by voice vote, 5–0.

Director of Finance job description approved: Staff presented a reorganization that replaces two associate director positions with a single Director of Finance role; the district said this will streamline work and not add positions. Board Member Greene moved to approve the job description; the motion was seconded by Board Member Mundy and carried 5–0.

Public comment on audits and credit rating: During public comment, Larry Moore said Moody’s has cited the district for two downgrades and for “weak governance,” and he warned that further downgrades could affect construction loans and bond sales. Moore criticized the audit procurement process, asking whether a lone RFP response is sufficient and whether the district understands potential restatement exposure. The board did not take immediate action on the comment but had earlier discussed audit pricing and oversight during the consent‑agenda review.

Closed session and adjournment: The board voted unanimously to enter closed session under KRS 61.810 to discuss pending and threatened litigation and personnel matters that could lead to discipline; the session began at 7:10 p.m. and the board reported reconvening and concluding closed session at 8:18 p.m. The meeting was adjourned thereafter.

What’s next: Several of the items discussed at the planning session — including the acting‑superintendent contract addendum and the consent items — will return for final action at the July 20 board meeting.

Representative quotes from the meeting: “We were thrilled with the bid,” Kina Co said of the audit firm’s proposal; “If Moody’s downgrades again, it will have an impact on new construction loans and existing debt,” Larry Moore said during public comment.

The board will take final votes on some items at its July 20 action meeting.