Fayette County Schools Expend Over $4 Million on Travel for Professional Development, Outpacing Jefferson County District

Lexington, Kentucky – Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) reported an expenditure of over $4 million last academic year for travel related to conferences and professional training, according to recently released records. This figure is nearly double the amount spent by Kentucky’s largest district, Jefferson County Public Schools, which allocated $2.3 million for similar travel in the 2023-2024 school year.

Superintendent Demetrus Liggins defended the substantial travel expenses, attributing them to the district’s commitment to professional development. “Our investment in professional development opportunities allows FCPS to stay at the forefront of innovation and ensures our staff are the best at their craft, which ultimately benefits our students and community,” Liggins stated.

During the 2023-2024 school year, FCPS staff undertook more than 200 trips. Many of these trips were in-state, particularly to Louisville, focusing on technology, agricultural education, and school board training. The district also organized three international trips, which included soccer coaches traveling to Manchester, England, and two recruiting missions for Spanish language teachers—one to Puerto Rico and another to Panama. The total expenditure for these international endeavors came to $22,987.

Domestic travel spanned across various cities, from San Diego to Boston. Of the total travel expenses, approximately $123,000 was covered by third-party sponsors. Some trips were not directly related to professional development but rather involved attending award ceremonies for the district and individual schools.

While specific details of the conferences attended remain largely undisclosed, the clear focus of FCPS on enhancing professional skills and improving student outcomes is notable. This spending comes in the context of ongoing debates regarding budget allocation within educational institutions and highlights divergent approaches between urban school districts in Kentucky.

The significant travel spending by Fayette County is sure to draw continued scrutiny as stakeholders evaluate the balance between funding innovative educational development and managing fiscal responsibility within the school system.