05/29/2026
At last nightβs Fayette County Public Schools board meeting, Kentuckians For The Commonwealth & Public School Strong KY member and parent Davita Gatewood used her voice to speak on behalf of our chapter, which continues to demand accountability, protections for the districtβs most impacted students, and collective bargaining for rank and file educators. π£οΈπ€β
βWe have repeatedly attempted to prevent harm that has occurred due to mismanagement by administration, and a lack of accountability by the board chair. Unfortunately, my voice and the voices of other members of our organization have been ridiculed and ignored. I am here to say enough is enough, we demand real solutions. Our KFTC chapter has repeatedly asked for budget transparency, protections for our most impacted students and families, and the right to a union contract for teachers and staff that are now paying for administrationβs mistakes.
As a housing justice advocate that has faced housing insecurity, I watched this administration and board chair mismanage Mckeny-Vento supports, only to turn around and attempt to silence the community, including KFTC, which demanded staff for our houseless students. We urged the district to ensure that all of our students receive universal free school meals, only for district administration to request increased meal costs for families.
As a mother of a student with an IEP that has multiple severe disabilities, I was dismayed to see district administration attempt to target a program composed of students that receive special education services that donβt thrive in traditional classrooms. I am concerned about the state of special education in this district, especially for our African American young men. How many more times does the district have to make the news for administration to realize we need more resources in our classrooms, less suits in offices? My sonβs school has special education paraeducators that have been there for 25 years, who arenβt given the dignity, respect, or compensation worthy of their education, experience, and service. Neither the staff, nor my son are expendable, to balance an imaginary budget.
I am tired of this district treating our staff, teachers, and students like they don't matter. Why has the superintendent been refusing to meet with organized teachers and staff? Why has the board chair refused to allow teachers and staff to have a democratic vote for unionization? Another board member seems to forget her PTSA training for the kids. This is why KFTC has endorsed the right to collective bargaining for public school teachers.β π€
