Fayette school board member apologizes for social media posts following criticism
Fayette County Public Schools Board member Amanda Ferguson on Tuesday night apologized at a district Equity Council Meeting for social media posts that have received criticism.
At issue were a laughing emoji and a GIF depicting a Furby interactive toy that Ferguson posted in late May on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Ferguson said her posts were in response to a post from the account of “That Nema” -- Ky 120 United-AFT Co-Founder Nema Brewer, who Ferguson said was a friend. Under a photo of Fayette County Education Association President Jessica Hiler , Brewer posted, in part, “I didn’t realize Hiler was the new FCPS mascot.”
In response, Ferguson posted a laughing emoji.
FCEA, which is an arm of the Kentucky Education Association, and KY 120 United -- AFT have competed for members and at times have had conflicts.
The Furby GIF
Ferguson said she initially posted the GIF of the Furby in the wrong spot on her personal X account so it appeared to be in response to an “offensive” comment“ from a third poster who Ferguson noted did not give their true identity. That post said, “Who’s the lesbian on the left?” Ferguson had initially posted the GIF of the Furby under that comment. She said she did not make the comment, “Who’s the lesbian on the left” or intentionally respond to it.
She said she later moved, but did not delete, her post.
Critics of Ferguson’s posts included members of the Equity Council who spoke Tuesday and Ebony Harrington McLeod, the 16th District PTA Secretary whose statement to the Equity Council with her concerns about the posts was read at Tuesday’s meeting.
“In no way was it meant to spark hate of any particular group, of any particular person,” Ferguson said at the meeting. “My intent is never to offend anyone. “
“I don’t know how to win back those who are offended,” she said.
“I’m very sorry. It never occurred to me that it would be taken that way,” she said.
On Wednesday morning, in response to a Herald-Leader request for comment about Tuesday’s Equity Council meeting, Ferguson said, “Some people who unfailingly support the superintendent don’t like it when I ask challenging questions of him and try hard to find something about me to complain about. It’s nothing new.”
The Equity Council voted to recommend that the Fayette school board create a social media policy and that the incident be investigated by the school board. Equity Council members want Ferguson to be held accountable. Equity Council chairman Camisha Boyd-Powell recommended cultural competency training for Fayette school board members.
“I want to assure any student, staff member, or family in our district that we see them, we value them, and we are committed to supporting them, “ Fayette school board chairman Tyler Murphy said Wednesday afternoon. “Serving students is central to our work and Board members have a responsibility to conduct ourselves in a way that models respect and to take accountability for our behavior.”
Murphy said he was aware of the discussion and actions taken at the Equity Council Tuesday night.
Reports and recommendations regarding “the behavior discussed” were being reviewed in accordance with school board protocols and “we will follow up once that review is completed,” he said.
