Kentucky School District Violated State Policy Regarding Use of Gymnasium

The Kentucky Office of Education Accountability this week released a report showing that Fayette County Public Schools violated district policies when it allowed a for-profit cheer and tumble business owned by a district employee to use a school gymnasium. 

According to the Lecington Herald-Leader, which obtained a copy of the report, the Office of Education Acccountability is giving superintendent Demetrus Liggins until July 1 to resolve the violation that involved a business called Lex Athletics.

A spokesperson for the school district said the district is in the process of updating its systems to comply with the state's decision. 

“(The Office of Education Accountability) interviews with various district staff indicated uncertainty in how approval for use is to be obtained. All of this is concerning, particularly if the use is for-profit. More importantly, it is of great concern if the requested use involves physical risk to participants, as was the situation with the cheer organization using district property in this case,” the Feb. 17 report said. 

“Therefore, (the agency) finds the district in violation of its own policy and procedures concerning facilities usage with respect to the allegation. Policies also significantly conflict with website documents, creating confusion,” the report said. 

“(Fayette schools) is in receipt of the recent (agency) findings regarding facility usage and policy. We are currently reviewing and updating all district-wide systems and documents to ensure alignment and consistency when applied across all of our schools,” Davidson-Smith said Monday.