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Profile: DEMETRUS LIGGINS

Editor鈥檚 note: The subject of this profile was placed on administrative leave as this issue was in mid-production.

Demetrus Liggins is always thinking about how he impacts students. Whether in his broader goals as superintendent or simply his words to a student, his focus is solely improving the lives of the children who attend Fayette County Public Schools in Lexington, Ky.

鈥淜ids come back and [tell you they] remember a specific thing you鈥檝e said, and it changed their lives, their trajectory,鈥� says Liggins, who has led the 42,000-student district since 2021. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important to me to choose my words carefully because you never know when something you say will have an impact, positively or negatively.鈥�

That passion and caring for children in the school district hasn鈥檛 gone unnoticed about Liggins, who was named one of four finalists for 2026 National Superintendent of the Year.

鈥淭hat is the focus of Dr. Liggins and his cabinet. Children first. And everything they do, they try to do it for every child, not just one set of children,鈥� says Jenna Jennings, executive director of the Kentucky Parent Teacher Association.

Caring for the whole child is a mindset shift that has happened over time in the community, added Jennings, who currently has a sophomore child and a grandchild in kindergarten in the district.

Liggins says his own experience growing up in poverty has informed his philosophy as an educator at every level. 鈥淚 became an educator because of educators,鈥� he says. 鈥淪chool was a refuge to me. I could get two meals, I knew people cared about me.鈥�

In 2022, the district adopted a five-year strategic plan that aimed to prevent any lowering of expectations for students because of their personal conditions by adding resources for their support.

Outcomes have improved in noticeable ways. The 2025-26 school year was the second year in a row that Fayette County measured no achievement gaps for Black students and students living in poverty, says Amy Green, vice chair of the board of education who has two school-age children.

鈥淭he fact that we are moving in the right direction really speaks to [Liggins鈥橾 focus on providing for all students,鈥� she says.

Along those lines, the Fayette Education Foundation is partnering with Toyota, which has lent vans to transport students to extracurricular programs. Other community partnerships provide resources and offset student costs, such as Goodwill Industries and the Catholic Action Center lending help for students facing housing insecurity.

鈥淚nnovation brings failure, but failure creates growth,鈥� says Green. 鈥淗e鈥檚 made that a safe space for our educators and all staff, so they鈥檝e been able to flourish in trying new ideas.鈥�

Jennings points to the superintendent鈥檚 communication efforts to keep parents involved through regular contact with the PTA.

鈥淗e鈥檚 always opened it up for questions,鈥� Jennings says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really refreshing.鈥�

When Liggins recognized a group of two dozen International Baccalaureate students at their graduation last year, he had a special handshake or hug or high-five for each student after passing out their diplomas.

And, Green adds, Liggins鈥� bilingualism in Spanish allows him to communicate seamlessly with many families, making them feel more comfortable even during tough situations.

Jennings adds: 鈥淚f you truly had a chance to spend a couple days with him, what you would see is that he鈥檚 children first, and he鈥檚 going to fight for the babies who aren鈥檛 everybody else鈥檚 first priorities.鈥�

On being named one of four finalists for AASA鈥檚 top professional recognition earlier this year, Liggins says it felt amazing getting acknowledged for the work his team is doing to make a difference for families.

鈥淎m I making their lives better? That was an affirmation that we鈥檙e doing good things.鈥�

Jacqueline Hyman is assistant editor of School Administrator magazine.