Fayette County Schools spent $38K on failed tax campaign without full board knowledge

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - Fayette County Public Schools paid a lobbying firm $38,000 to promote a failed tax increase without informing all board members about the contract, adding to transparency concerns at the cash-strapped district already facing multiple investigations and calls for leadership resignations.

Board member Amanda Ferguson discovered the contract while browsing online, learning about the $38,000 agreement she knew nothing about. The district hired Piper Smith, a lobbying and crisis communications firm, to create a campaign promoting an occupational license tax increase.

“We talk about transparency and letting the public know, but we’re not even letting all board members know,” Ferguson said.

Campaign details amid budget crisis

In a seven-page proposal, Piper Smith promi