SerpApi.Org
Rodney Jackson, the former executive director of financial accounting, budget, and benefits services at Fayette County Public Schools, said at Monday news conference that he was not responsible for the district’s financial problems and that allegations made against him are false.
”The allegations and insinuations that have been made against me are absolutely false,” Jackson said. “Throughout my career, I’ve served this community with professionalism, integrity, accountability and transparency. I categorically reject any suggestion that I ignored misconduct, retaliated against anyone, or acted improperly.
“The assertion that I am personally responsible for (the) FCPS budget shortfall is false,” he said. “The truth matters.”
FCPS has not publicly pinned blame on Jackson or any other staff member as it has navigated budget woes in recent months.
Accompanied by his attorney, Christopher Miller, Jackson read a statement Monday at the news conference, which was held at the Marksbury Family Branch of the Lexington Public Library. They did not take questions.
In July, Fayette County Public Schools officials announced that Jackson, a Fayette schools employee since 1999, had retired. His retirement came shortly after the district confirmed he was on medical leave. FCPS had not commented on his employment for months after repeated questions. FCPS’ finances have been heavily scrutinized for more than a year now, after a major budget deficit was revealed last year and new information this year confirmed district finances had been misstated for nearly two decades.
Jackson said on FMLA, he had a hip replacement and was caring for his mother. He said he was not allowed to comment while on FMLA.
He said that at no time was he asked to retire or resign
“At no time was I ever asked to resign, encouraged to retire, or threatened with termination. I repeat, at no time in my entire career have I ever been asked to resign, encouraged to retire or threaten with termination,” Jackson said
A lawsuit relating to any of Jackson’s assertions had not been filed in Fayette County by Monday morning, but Jackson said, “I intend to use every legal avenue available to clear my name and hold those accountable and responsible for making and (spreading) these false allegations. Because this matter is now the subject of legal proceedings, I will not debate these allegations in the media or try this case through headlines, social media, or public speculation.
“The appropriate place of these facts to be presented is through the legal process where the complete record documentation evidence can be reviewed fairly, objectively and in proper context.“
“I have documentation that I believe tells a different story than what has been publicly alleged (and) was privately discussed with FCPS stakeholder groups,” Jackson said. “And that evidence will be presented through the appropriate legal terms, channels and not through a press conference. At the appropriate time, I tend to vigorously defend my reputation and pursue all legal remedies available regarding these false allegations and the damage they have caused to my name, my family and my professional reputation.”
Jackson said he was disheartened to see how much attention had been placed on “controversy and speculation” when the focus should be on students.
District spokesperson Miranda Scully responded after Jackson’s news conference and said the district was focused on the upcoming school year.
“Fayette County Public Schools and the Board of Education remain focused on preparing for a successful upcoming school year and ensuring our students, staff, and families have the stable, supportive environment they deserve,” Scully said. “We will not comment on any matters regarding personnel issues or potential legal considerations.”
Jackson held leadership positions in the finance department for more than 10 years, according to his personnel file.
Jackson has not attended or spoken at Fayette County Board of Education meetings since March, according to board documents.
The school board and Fayette County Superintendent Demetrus Liggins, now on administrative paid leave pending a review of his employment, hired Kyna Koch, who previously worked for the Kentucky Department of Education, as interim chief financial officer.
Koch and Liggins announced in April that a review showed district finances had been misstated for years and said three finance employees were on leave, but did not say at the time if Jackson was one of them.
An independent investigation commissioned by the school board and released in March by a Missouri law firm found that Jackson failed to meet expectations by not doing enough analysis and communicating the implications of financial issues.
Jackson didn’t engage in intentional misconduct, but also didn’t fulfill “responsibilities as the head of FCPS’ Financial Accounting and Benefits department,” the investigative report said.
The district is trying to correct its books, which has led to the elimination of 120 positions, cuts to staff work days and a $95 million short-term loan to help the district’s cash flow.
Koch has said the district will have to re-state its finances for the 2025 and 2026 fiscal year. Most recently, district documents show FCPS has a $17.8 million deficit, although district officials say those numbers are not “final.”
Acting Director of Finance Amy Smith told the board earlier this year that in 2025, the district overstated or overestimated its local tax collections by more than $8.5 million. In addition, there were several instances where money was deposited in the wrong accounts, Smith said. Koch has also said there were times when the district missed deadlines for grants.
Jackson defends his tenure
“I look forward to the day when the complete facts, not allegations, not speculations, not headlines are presented in the proper form. Until then, I will allow the legal process to work and remain confident that the truth will ultimately prevail,” Jackson said Monday.
Jackson said claims that bank accounts have not been reconciled and finances have been materially misstated since 2008 is false. The claim that he and his team determined the scope of work that external auditors does also is false, he said.
Auditors operated under a detailed contract and scope dictated by Kentucky Department of Education, he said. The assertion that he personally held checks in his possession that were not deposited and cashed is completely false, Jackson said.
He said the narrative that he was in complete control of the budget production over his entire tenure is factually incorrect. Historically, FCPS schools maintained a strict separation between the budget department and the finance department. Both areas reported to a chief operating officer, a chief financial officer, a senior director of administration, or deputy superintendent
The only time these two areas were consolidated under his oversight was recently in 2025 at Liggins’ request, Jackson said.
“Process and procedures vary. This does not mean that one is right or wrong, but it is however a matter of preference,” he said.
Jackson said to suggest that material misstatements went unnoticed since 2008 is an insult to “great” past superintendents and past school board members.
He said the credibility and expertise of auditors inside and outside the district had been falsely called into question.
“The public is being led to believe that all these professionals completely failed at their jobs. This is completely not true,” Jackson said. “These allegations have unfairly damaged a reputation that I spent more than 26 plus years building through public service. I have devoted my career to serving the Fayette County Public Schools with honesty, professionalism, accountability and respect for the law. “
Jackson acknowledged he was not perfect, but he said, “I will not allow false accusation to define my career, my character, or my legacy.”
