Plus, see which chain restaurant is coming to Lexington in June.
May 24, 2023 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

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Today’s Forecast

38° | Partly cloudy | 7% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:54 a.m. | Sunset 5:30 p.m.

 
🎓 EDU BUDG 101 is in session
LEX Fayette County Public Schools District Office
Fayette County Public Schools District office. | Photo provided by FCPS
The Fayette County Board of Education approved the tentative 2023-2024 budget, which would make the Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) system the first district in the state to give teachers a starting salary of more than $50,000.

The budget includes a $677.4 million general fund for the next school year, emphasizing spending on academics, strategic initiatives, operations, and support for students + staff.

Let’s take a closer look at the numbers.

Salaries

FCPS will dedicate $28.9 million to increase salaries for faculty and staff.
  • $24.9 million will be directed to salaried staff raises, bringing the starting teacher salary to $50,085 vs. the current salary of $44,106.
  • $4 million will be used to provide an average 8% pay increase to contracted/hourly employees, with a guaranteed 4% pay increase.

Student support

The tentative budget lists ~$18 million in student support initiatives.
  • $8.9 million to hire 157 more teachers and other professionals including school nurses, bus drivers, coaches, as well as specialists to support gifted and talented students, special education, and multilingual services.
  • $1.5 million to support fine arts programs including new instruments for band + orchestra, additional dance teachers + a Mariachi instructor. Stipends will also be given to teachers that work with students beyond regular school hours.
  • ~$1 million towards enhancing early childhood education by opening more preschool classrooms + expanding Rise STEM Academy for Girls and George Washington Carver Academy for Boys.
  • $448,000 will be used to create new programming, as well as college + career exploration activities.
“We recognize that an investment in our employees is an investment in our students,” FCPS Superintendent Demetrus Liggins said. “This historic budget reflects our unwavering dedication to providing an exceptional learning environment and ensuring that all our students receive the outstanding education they deserve.”
 
 
Events
 
Wednesday, May 24
  • Making Sense of the City Budget | Wednesday, May 24 | 6-7 p.m. | Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center, 141 E. Main St., Lexington | Free | Get engaged and flex those fiscal muscles as CivicLex helps break down the city’s budget.
  • Murder Mystery Dinner | Wednesday, May 24 | 7-9 p.m. | The Kentucky Castle, 230 Pisgah Pike, Versailles | $85 | The Grand Ballroom will greet you with a delicious four-course dinner but don’t get too comfy, “Murder & Merriment” will have you saying, “whodunnit?”
Thursday, May 25
  • Music Connections Showcase | Thursday, May 25 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center, 300 E. 3rd St., Lexington | $10 | Showcase your musical talents, support others, and even get the opportunity to win cash prizes.
  • Sound Healing | Thursday, May 25 | 7 p.m. | SoulRebeLex, 105 Dennis Dr., Lexington | $30 | Local musician Ronnie Brown will lead this meditative experience, bathing you in sound waves of gongs, singing bowls, chimes + more.
Friday, May 26
  • 80s Night | Friday, May 26 | 6:45 p.m. | Counter Clocks Field, 207 Legends Ln., Lexington | $14-$65 | Come dressed in your best 1980s outfit to cheer on the Clocks + be ready for a post-game dance party.
  • Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time | Friday, May 26-Sunday, May 28 | Times vary | The Carriage House, 154 W. Bell Ct., Lexington | $12-$22 | This play about a teenager solving the mysterious death of his neighbor’s dog brings to life conversations about the neurodiverse community, authenticity + acceptance.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
SPONSORED
Giveaway
 
Enter to win a summer getaway to Indianapolis
VisitIndy-PartnerGiveaway-5.23.2023-POD-LEX.gif
Feeling lucky, Lexington? We’re giving away a two-night stay in Indianapolis — aka the perfect summer road trip destination (just a 3-hr. drive from Lexington), in partnership with Visit Indy. One winner will receive a prize package featuring:
  • Four tickets to the Indianapolis Zoo (parking pass included)
  • Four tickets to an Indianapolis Indians game
  • Two nights in the Omni Severin Hotel
  • and more*
 
News Notes
 
Coming Soon
  • Taco John’s will expand its presence in Kentucky + is expected to open in Brannon Crossing on Monday, June 26. The national chain is known for its “traditional Mexican food with a twist” with menu items like street tacos, breakfast burritos, and Mexican Donut Bites. (Lexington Herald-Leader)
Pets
  • Head to Coldstream Park next Wednesday, May 31 for the first Yappy Hour of the summer season. From 6 to 9 p.m., Lexington Parks & Recreation, food trucks, drink vendors + more will be on hand to help you and your pup make new pals.
Travel
  • Are you ready to feel that Rocky Mountain High? Starting September 29, you’ll be able to get it a lot quicker as United Airlines begins daily non-stop flights between Lexington + Denver. Flights will depart Bluegrass Airport at 4:30 p.m. and Denver International at 10:15 a.m. (LEX18)
Eat
  • Brunch is back at the newly renovated Merrick Inn starting this Friday. Think: Candied bacon, avocado toast, acai bowls + chicken and waffles. Brunch will be served Friday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. We’re excited to add a new spot to our brunch guide.
Cause
  • The Living Arts & Science Center is hosting a fun evening of learning and support called Art & Science of Mixology that will include cocktail mixing, access to the galleries, and more creative experiences. Funds raised will help cover the costs so Title I children can attend classes + camps.
Award
  • Lexington Griffin Gate Marriott Golf Resort & Spa has been nominated for Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards. Help our hometown spot win the Best Resort category by casting your votes.
Wellness
  • Memorial Day weekend is right around the corner. Whether you’re out boating, opening up the pool, or cooking at the grill, it’s important to stay hydrated. Pro tip: After drinking in the sun and dehydrating to the max, get an IV drip treatment from Renew Hydration. Schedule an appointment to keep yourself feeling fresh and ready for the start of summer.*
Play
  • What could your $1 buy you — a camera, a boat… a house? Play the Kentucky Lottery’s Cash Ball 225 for $1 per play and win up to $225,000 daily. Bonus: You can even play online.*
The Buy
  • Turn misplaced keys into a thing of the past with the Apple AirTag. The button-sized tracking device can give you step-by-step directions to your lost keys (or phone…or wallet…) and has a battery life of one year. Pro tip: Put one in your checked luggage and never worry about lost baggage again.*
 
SPONSORED
Finance
 
7 secrets comfortable retirees know about hiring a financial advisor
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Smart retirees know a thing or two — and you should, too. | Photo by SmartAsset
Research suggests people who work with a financial advisor could end up with about 15% more money to spend in retirement.1 Read: A lot of margaritas.

That’s because they know the seven secrets to hiring a financial advisor, like never hiring the first advisor you meet. (Rookie mistake.)

The ultimate tip? Answer a few questions in this free, five-minute quiz to match with vetted financial advisors serving your area who can help optimize a retirement plan for you.*
1“Journal of Retirement Study Winter” (2020)”. The projections or other information regarding the likelihood of various investment outcomes are hypothetical in nature, do not reflect actual investment results, and are not guarantees of your future results. Please follow the link to see the methodologies employed in the Journal of Retirement study.
 
The Wrap
 
Molly Thompson in a black shirt Today’s edition by:
Molly
From the editor
Do you love puppies? Do you love yoga? Why not try both of them together? (Hi, it’s me.) Yappy Place is hosting Puppy Yoga on Saturday, June 3 at 10 a.m. in partnership with Lexington Pit Crew. Register and be ready for down dogs, puppy breath + lots of wiggling, wagging tails.
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* This content is paid advertising, or contains links to our Six & Main marketplace, or affiliate partners which we may receive a commission from. ^ This content is created by our content studio.

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