LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Embattled Fayette County school board Chairman Tyler Murphy and the Kentucky Education Association filed a lawsuit Tuesday challenging a new state law they say bars some school district employees from serving on local boards, seeking an expedited ruling as this year’s school board elections approach.
The suit targets a provision of Senate Bill 4 the plaintiffs call the “School Board Eligibility Bar.” They argue the measure is unconstitutional and would disqualify Murphy — a National Board Certified teacher who the lawsuit says has worked in public education for 15 years — after he filed to run for a third term on the Fayette County Board of Education.
The filing comes as candidate deadlines passed in Fayette County. June 2 was the deadline to file for Fayette County school board races covering two of the board’s five seats, including Murphy’s district. Kentucky Secretary of State records show three candidates filed for the nonpartisan Fayette County Board of Education 2nd District seat: R.J. Hijalda, Murphy and Kathy Schifflett…