Copy of State Representative (D) Adriel Camuel's Whistleblower Letter to Governor Beshear (D) and the Kentucky Department of Education

 

I knew this was coming and knew what it said beforehand, but Representative Adriel Camuel - who not only works at Central Office at FCPS, but is also a Democrat State Representative - dropped THIS bombshell to the state, signed by fellow Dem representatives, with a copy of the letter on FB.

(There aren't many of us Dems in the State House of Representatives, but there are a few.)

For the history of this situation, read earlier posts.

Essentially, what you need to know is that these are Dems calling out one of their own in charge (something MAGA could take a page from).

What you also need to know again is that we Democrats welcomed with open arms the first black, openly LGBTQ superintendent of Fayette County Public Schools and initially were overjoyed with Liggins.

We initially attributed any backlash to racism and homophobia.

That is so until we saw proof that extravagant purchases had been made, unqualified cronyism was rampant (curiously for MAGA people, mostly white), and as Adriel says in the letter, shifting narratives of blame, lack of transparency, putting on leave or firing any whistleblowers - and worst of all, stating that the backlash was political rather than true concern for the budget.

All I can say is, this is NOT political - and that is what Democratic House Representative Adriel Camuel is trying to say, here.

Basically, Liggins - as personable and charismatic as he is in person - is essentially the black LGBTQ version of Trump, or is at least playing by Trump's playbook - and we're not having it in our party or in our public schools

That sort of behavior should never be turned a blind eye to for the sake of political agendas nor tolerated by ANY political party.

Two wrongs do not make a right - stooping to Trump tactics to stay on top is NOT okay.

Also with close friend, Tyler Murphy, the school board Chairman, enabling the spending with his rubber stamp approval on everything isn't helping.

So today, the Lexington Herald Leader reported that Governor Beshear and KDE (Kentucky Department of Education) had a private meeting with Superintendent Demetrus Liggins, the Chairman of the School Board, Tyler Murphy (tight with Liggins), and financial consultant Kyna Koch (who has consulted on and off since 2008, and yet is blaming others before the current administration for this current budget crisis).

The paper makes no mention of Adriel's letter, but it does say say Liggins and Murphy called for the meeting themselves (but curiously, we know it was within 24 hours after Adriel published the public letter). 😉

Now - Valarie Honeycutt Spears is one hell of a truly objective, old-school journalist - meaning there's no opinion, no tone, just facts she can prove and quotes of things people told her, and not just "sources say," but their names and positions.

When you read her articles, you cannot tell what she believes herself, and she is very careful to attribute exactly who and where the information came from, making no claims about truthfulness, just what they told her.

I don't think people realize what a remarkable feat that is in journalism, especially in this day and age -  I'd never make it 😂

Thus, first of all, you need to know that it was way more than 115 people fired as she was told  - try over 200 people.

And though FCPS initially wrote "administration" in the initial layoff announcement email, misleading people to think it was leadership, it was actually low-paying administrative support staff, which they're now finally admitting.

Also initially, there were no cuts to high-level executive staff or to their salaries - until protests began - and they've now taken a 10% pay cut including Liggins.

Also, they asked for a $110 million-dollar loan this week to save the school. 

I can't say much more than what is printed publicly, but let's just say after this letter - though Adriel's head was initially saved from the chopping block, it was hinted to her this week after that letter that it wouldn't be.

UNTIL - someone mentioned to leadership "Um ... you don't want to do that to a state rep for blowing the whistle now, too. That would turn out very, very bad for you."

Thus, Adriel is still there -  for now.

Regardless, the state meeting was private, and all the article says is that Liggins, Murphy, and Koch pledged more transparency to Governor Beshear, and KDE wanted the public to know that they are NOT "taking over the school" - they are giving FCPS leadership a chance to turn it around - BUT - would now be closely monitoring FCPS, who would be reporting to them regularly.