Board Buzz

We offer this recap of our school board meetings as part of our commitment to providing timely updates for students, families, staff, and the community.

During Thursday's planning session, the board approved a tax rate cut for FY25 on real estate and personal property, and held steady at the same rate for motor vehicle taxes. "Essentially it allows us to lower the rate while still fulfilling the budget obligations approved in May," said Chair Tyler Murphy.

Meocha Williams, assistant superintendent of Academic Services, explained the revised version of our district's Portrait of a Graduate. As we enter the 2024-25 academic school year, this 2.0 version reflects a modernized approach to the skills and competencies that we aim for our students to know, to do, and to be like. "These skills will be relevant, needed, and applicable for whatever future -- we cannot even imagine," Murphy said. The new, simplified model represents our continued commitment to students and families that every learner will graduate high school equipped to adapt to the rapid pace of change in the 21st century and succeed in the workforce.

• Download the poster
• View the board presentation on Portrait of a Graduate

Students and leaders shared ideas of how to shape the culture and school climate of the district's Hub for Innovative Learning & Leadership (The HILL), which opens in August 2025. One opportunity is to create a unified vision as FCPS combines Eastside and South technical centers and to ensure student buy-in. Another goal is to bring out the best in each of the career pathways. The cutting-edge Career & Technical Education (CTE) facility will enable FCPS to increase enrollment and better engage with the community as we develop hybrid programs and a skilled workforce to meet industry demands. "The HILL will create a mutually beneficial relationship between students and industry," said Arnav Palle, a STEAM Academy graduate who interned in our Office of Innovation.

• View the board presentation on The HILL
• Watch the CTE video
• Follow the weekly construction updates

KAW Work: The school board approved an agreement for Kentucky American Water to move a service line, meter, and fire hydrant to accommodate construction of new preschool classrooms and HVAC replacement at Harrison Elementary.

School Fees: Board members also signed off on routine instructional fees for 2024-25.

Superintendent Demetrus Liggins previewed the consent agenda for the board's Aug. 26 regular meeting and gave board members a chance to ask questions of staff. Among the items pending action is a recommendation of Scenario 6 in the rezoning plans related to Mary E. Britton Middle School, projected to open in fall 2025. "We need to be strategic on where to put all the students," said Bill Bradford, assistant superintendent of School Leadership. "This is the most advantageous scenario that you should consider," he told the board. The new school will help accommodate growth in the Hamburg and Polo Club areas, and alleviate overcrowding and balance enrollment at other area middle schools. Families currently zoned for Crawford, Edythe J. Hayes, and Morton could be affected in the 2025-26 school year; notifications of student placement will go out this January.

• View the board presentation on rezoning

In other business, the board followed up on the Equity Council's concerns about certain school names. A committee will be formed to explore options and present proposals to the board.

The Board Meeting Buzz is posted in the News feed on our district's homepage (FCPS.net). For more information about the latest meeting:

• Skim the Aug. 8 agenda (with PDF attachments) or listen to the whole meeting.
• Read the official minutes, which will be posted within the agenda of the next board meeting

The public is welcome to attend planning sessions and action meetings in person at the John D. Price Administration Building, 450 Park Place. The monthly action meetings are also livestreamed on the FCPS YouTube channel and the district's Video on Demand service. These videos are then archived in a YouTube playlist.

The video series “Murphy’s Minute” features Board Chair Tyler Murphy answering frequently asked questions. Topics include the school board’s roles, responsibilities, service to the community, advocacy, meeting schedules, and decisions that affect our students, schools, and families. Students from several of our secondary schools host the biweekly series, which is on hiatus during summer break.

• The videos are archived on the school board's main webpage and in a YouTube playlist.