Board Buzz

We offer a recap of this month's action meeting of the Fayette County Board of Education as part of our commitment to providing timely updates for students, families, staff, and the community.

• Breckinridge Elementary, for Innovative Leadership and Civic Engagement
• Crawford Middle, for Leadership Academy for Literacies and Civic Engagement
• Harrison Elementary, for Visual, Performing, and Visual Arts

"Because of the vision the board has set forth, we really had clear direction in where we wanted to take this opportunity," Jones said of her team's pursuit of this grant from the U.S. Department of Education. "We know what this will do for our communities and our families. We could not be more excited!"

• View the Magnet School Presentation

Fayette County Public Schools is one of 12 awardees nationwide, and our district is one of two first-time recipients. The goal here is to provide enhanced opportunities for our students, increase enrollment, and build community. These new programs will launch in the 2025-26 school year, and the application window is March 1-17.

During the board meeting, Jones gave a shoutout to the principals instrumental in helping secure the grant (below from left): Michael Price of Breckinridge, Anne Trimble of Crawford, Cassie Watkins of Harrison, and Bryne Jacobs of Lexington Traditional Magnet School (the middle school where Harrison students move on to).

Each month, we recognize an outstanding member of Team FCPS who goes above and beyond to make a difference in students' lives and embodies the five key characteristics of a Kids' Champion: innovation, advocacy, empathy, knowledge, and a positive attitude. Monday night, we celebrated our very first Kids' Champion Award winner, Illyssia Guerino, a paraeducator at William Wells Brown Elementary.

The colleague who nominated her wrote, "Mrs. Guerino goes above and beyond for the students in our school on a daily basis. She organized our school's House Leaders nominations to mirror the 2024 presidential elections. She assisted students with their campaign speeches and posters. When a previous student had difficulty finding transportation to and from school, Ms. Guerino made it possible. She goes out of her way to assist teachers, students, and administration in multiple capacities. She is currently in school to become an educator. She will be an amazing teacher when she is finished. She is the backbone for Williams Wells Brown."

Community Partnerships -- We spotlighted our district's work with the Kentucky Center for Grieving Families and Children, one of our 2024 Golden Apple Award winners. In a pilot assessment, they surveyed students for levels of anxiety, depression, and stress or grief resilience, and provided therapeutic group sessions during the school day. Most of the children would not receive grief services without this programming. The following year, the results showed improvement and benefits for our students -- confirming that bereaved children really need a champion. Families can reach out for help through their child's school.

Board Resolution -- Chair Tyler Murphy presented a resolution affirming state dollars should be used exclusively to fund the common system of public schools in Kentucky, and board members voted 4-0 to adopt it.

Construction Report -- Under informational items, the board received the latest updates on construction and renovation projects including Mary E. Britton Middle School, the Hub for Innovative Learning & Leadership (The HILL), preschool classroom additions at Harrison Elementary, and the new Rise STEM Academy for Girls.

Arts Excellence -- Fine Arts Director Katherine Lowther shared a celebration of the Seal of Arts Excellence, an FCPS honor for graduating seniors who demonstrate an advanced level of specialization in a visual and performing arts discipline. Members of the Class of 2025 have until Nov. 1 to submit an interest form. Last year, we had 111 seal recipients out of 224 applicants. The video below is from graduation day last spring:

Moving through the night's action and consent agendas, the board members approved:

• The month's financial report
• Design development documents for construction of an elementary school on Greendale Road and of the new Henry Clay High School

Please view the Oct. 28 agenda for all the agenda items and related attachments.

• Skim the Oct. 28 agenda with PDF attachments or watch the meeting.
• Read the official minutes, which will be posted within the agenda of the next board meeting

Members of the public may attend the school board's planning sessions and action meetings at the John D. Price Administration Building, 450 Park Place, where public comment is welcome. The monthly action meetings are also livestreamed on the FCPS YouTube channel and the district's Video on Demand service.

The video series “Murphy’s Minute” features Board Chair Tyler Murphy answering frequently asked questions about the school board’s role and responsibilities, service to the community, advocacy, and decisions that affect our students and schools. Students from several of our secondary schools host the series. Here is the latest episode: