FCPS budget director claims she was placed on leave after warning of financial troubles

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – The attorney representing Fayette County Public Schools’ Executive Director of Budget and Financial Planning says she has been placed on administrative leave after raising red flags about the district’s financial troubles.

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In a six-page letter sent to Superintendent Dr. Demetrus Liggins and Board Chair Tyler Murphy, Attorney Brandon Voelker outlines why he feels Ann Sampson-Grimes was placed on administrative leave out of retaliation.

Voelker provided WKYT’s Samantha Valentino with the letter. (Read it below)

The letter claims Grimes warned administrators of the district’s financial troubles, and those flags were ignored.

It reads, “the administrative leave stemmed from a long history of Ms. Grimes reporting waste within the Fayette County School District’s budget, her persistent advocacy for budget cuts, and her mere existence as a woman in the workplace.”

The letter also claims Deputy Superintendent Dr. Houston Barber told Grimes the reason for her being placed on administrative leave was “an issue of leadership and not an issue of [Ms. Grimes’] performance.”

There have been rumors of Grimes being placed on administrative leave. She was missing from Monday night’s board meeting.

WKYT Investigates reached out to FCPS to ask about Grimes’ employment status.

A spokesperson for the district told us, “FCPS does not comment on personnel matters.”

In the letter, Voelker makes the following claims:

On February 13, 2024, Dr. Barber advised Ms. Grimes that budget needed to be reduced by 5%, and Ms. Grimes advised that more than 5% was required. Dr. Barber did not accept Ms. Grimes recommendation; nor did he adhere to his 5% direction. Dr. Barber refused to allow required reductions to the tentative budget, even though Dr. Barber had acknowledged the need for at least 5%. Then in the fall, Dr. Barber advised that the working budget would not set forth required cuts, because Dr. Liggins needed to get a new contract and Board elections were looming.
On July 1, 2024, Ms. Grimes again informed Dr. Barber that reductions for the FY25 school year needed to be made.
During the July 2024 KASA conference Ms. Grimes advised Rodney Jackson and Dr. Barber that the fund balance was going to be much lower and the need to take action to reduce. Dr. Barber instructed Ms. Grimes that she was not to say that cash flow was going to be an issue and was directed not to speak of the issues. Ms. Grimes also advised that if spending was not reduced, the District would fall below the Board Policy 6% contingency, as well as State required 2% and eventually be under state management.
On July 31, 2024, Dr. Barber instructed Ms. Grimes not to tell the public that cash flow was an issue for the District.
On August 13, 2024, Dr. Barber took Ms. Grimes subordinate, giving him the same decision-making authority as Ms. Grime.
On August 26, 2024, Ms. Grimes again informed Dr. Barber that budget cuts of at least Ten Percent (10%) or more must be made for FY25.
On April 23, 2025, Ms. Grimes informed both Dr. Barber and Rodney Jackson that expenditures were outperforming revenues and federal funds may be decreasing.
On May 2, 2025, in a meeting between Dr. Barber, Rodney Jackson, and Ms. Grimes, Ms. Grimes was effectively prevented from suggesting to the Board that budget cuts may be a suitable method in order to effectuate the Board’s desired One Percent (1%) raise for teachers. Instead, Dr. Barber and Rodney Jackson reported that the only way to achieve the One Percent (1%) raises was through OLT.
On May 2, 2025, Ms. Grimes reported to Dr. Barber and Mr. Jackson that the District could not afford a One Percent (1%) raise for teachers and needed to make an additional Three Million Dollar ($3,000,000.00) budget cut. Ms. Grimes attempted to bring these matters before the board, but was silenced by Dr. Barber and Superintendent Liggins, who changed key parts of Ms. Grimes’ dialogue and presentation to omit any need of budget cuts.
On May 5, 2025, Ms. Grimes advised Superintendent Liggins that adding an additional Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) in Medicaid could not be reincluded into the budget, but Superintendent Liggins made Jessica Williams reinstate the item, effectively subverting Ms. Grimes’ recommendation.
On May 19, 2025, Ms. Grimes informed Dr. Barber that she did not have the authority to add OLT because it is not an approved revenue source and, in turn, Dr. Barber asked to keep that information confidential.
On May 27, 2025, Dr. Barber amended the FY26 Salary Schedule to include the One Percent (1%) pay increase which Ms. Grimes repeatedly advised could not be afforded.
On June 6, 2025, Rodney Jackson received a new title of Senior Executive Director without an interview as part of a reorganization. Neither Ms. Grimes, nor any other female, was informed about the creation of this new role nor provided an opportunity to interview, despite being well-qualified.
On August 6, 2025, advised that the Board would need to consider changing its 6% contingency to 2%.
On August 7, 2025, Ms. Grimes and her team were supposed to meet with Superintendent Liggins to discuss the FY26 Working Budget, but Superintendent Liggins refused to meet with them.