LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky’s auditor announced Tuesday that she’s launching a special examination of the state’s second largest school district, Fayette County Public Schools.

What You Need To Know

  • Auditor Allison Ball is launching a special examination into Fayette County Public Schools 

  • Ball says a look into FCPS has been on her radar for awhile 

  • A potential rise to the FCPS occupational tax lead to public outcry 

  • The FCPS board of education tabled the occupational tax rate raise Monday

Auditor Allison Ball, R-Ky. said this follows the district’s attempt to raise its occupational tax rate. Ball said an audit of FCPS has been on her mind awhile but public outcry made her launch a special examination into how the district is using its funds.

“A lot of it stems from the occupational tax situation, but I’ve heard for a long time questions about the Fayette County Public School system and much of them stem around money issues. Are you being efficient?” Ball said.

Districts undergo regular yearly audits but Ball said the special examination is more in-depth than just a regular fiscal audit.

“Which [this] gives us broad authority to be able to look at more than just the finances if we feel like it’s necessary,” Ball said.

Monday night, the FCPS Board of Education tabled a vote on an increase to the occupational tax from 0.5% to 0.75%. District leaders first announced the potential increase last month over Memorial Day weekend.

“I think the first question we ask ourselves before we raise any tax is have we done everything we can do to minimize the expenses and have the highest ROI and wisest use of that tax dollar,” said State Senator Amanda Mays Bledsoe, R-Lexington.

That increase would fund what the district says is a $16 million deficit in its over $900 million budget. Sen. Bledsoe said she and many constituents have concerns over lack of transparency in tax raising process.

“I think when members of the school board themselves don’t feel like they’re getting the answers to questions that they’re asking in the board meetings it naturally started having the conversation about are we getting the full truth about what’s going on,” Bledsoe said.

Ball said the examination will take time to complete and did not give a timeline.

FCPS responded to the auditor’s examination in a statement that reads:

“Fayette County Public Schools is committed to continuous improvement and, above all, student success. We are proud of the strategic investments we’ve made in our schools, which are leading to stronger outcomes, expanded opportunities, and meaningful progress in closing longstanding opportunity gaps. The State Auditor has the full authority to conduct a special examination at her discretion, and we welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively with her office. We are confident that a fair and thorough review of our operations will affirm our commitment to excellence, equity and transparency in service to our students and community.”

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