Board Buzz: FY27 Tentative Budget Approved

May 27, 2026

We offer a recap of the May action meeting of the Fayette County Board of Education as part of our commitment to providing regular updates for FCPS student families, our employees, and the community.

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Top Takeaway: FY27 Budget Approved

After significant discussion, the Fayette County Board of Education voted unanimously to approve a balanced $880.5 million FY27 tentative budget for our school district.

Board Chair Tyler Murphy reiterated that the plan prioritizes reduced spending at the district level while preserving classroom resources and staff, including district-allocated school-based positions. It includes the 2 percent minimum contingency, though the goal is to move back to the preferred 6 percent level.

Kyna Koch, the district's interim chief financial officer, noted the district's revenue has not kept pace with employee pay rates. However, "by the time we get to the working budget, we'll have a solid foundation to build on to move forward," she said.

The district's final working budget for 2026-27 is due at the end of September.

Community Partner Spotlight

Under the Superintendent's Report, the board heard the latest on the district's partnership with the University of Kentucky's Department of Ophthalmology and Department of Pediatrics. Participation has grown over the past four years, with dozens of elementary students receiving mobile eye exams and glasses.

• View the Partnership Presentation

Student Performance Spotlight

Rachel Losch of our Fine Arts Department shared details of this spring's Stonestreet Farms & FCPS “Best Turned Out” Keeneland Art Competition. Our goal was to highlight the importance of arts education and the deep connection between the local economy, our beloved horse industry, and the unique culture of Central Kentucky. Our students did an excellent job of capturing the theme and feel of horse racing and a day at Keeneland!

• View the Students' Artwork

Action Items

In addition to the tentative budget for next year, the board approved: A short-term tax revenue anticipation note (TRAN) up to $95 million to cover costs from July through October until expected revenue comes through in the fall The district's 2026-27 salary schedule, which includes the annual step increase for certified and classified staff The monthly financial report for April, which highlighted many of the previously misstated dollar figures from FY25 The board decided to delay a vote on two proposed industrial revenue bonds, pending further discussion and collection of more information. One question concerned specific revenue projections for the renovation project at Rose Tower apartments and a residential development on Midland Avenue.

Consent Agenda Under consent items, the board approved the 2027-28 instructional calendar. It includes Aug. 11, 2027, as the first day of classes and May 24, 2028, as the last day of school. View the 2027-28 Calendar Presentation The school board also approved several contract renewals including sports medicine services with UK Healthcare for athletic trainers as well as the FY27 School Activity Fund Budget. Additionally, the board signed off on selling several properties as surplus, including the former district administration building at 701 E. Main St., the Ambrose building (formerly Human Resources) at 128 Walton Ave., and adjacent properties, the school building at 123 E. Sixth St. (currently housing George Washington Carver STEM Academy for Boys), and the school building at 2420 Spurr Road (currently housing Rise STEM Academy for Girls).

Need More Details? For more information about the latest meeting: Skim the May 27 agenda. Watch the video recording. Read the official minutes, which will be posted within the agenda of the next board meeting. Board Talk: On Hiatus for the Summer Board Talk, a 15-minute livestream, serves as a digital bridge between our community and the school board. We want to take the mystery out of board meetings by having casual, honest conversations right before the gavel falls. You can watch Board Talk starting at 5:30 before the 6 p.m. regular monthly meetings during the school year. (Look for the link in an fcps.net pop-up box.) Additionally, the board welcomes your questions and topics for consideration: Suggest A Topic for Board Talk How to Follow the Board Meetings Community members 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. Additionally, the Board Meeting Buzz -- which is emailed to our student families and staff -- is archived on the district website as "recap" under Agendas & Records.