FCPS employee says his job cut was ‘unceremonious’ despite having saved the district millions

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – A Fayette County Public Schools employee whose department saves the district an average of $2 million a year says he feels blindsided by the decision to eliminate his position.

Logan Poteat is part of the district’s Energy and Sustainability team — one of 120 jobs being reduced as district leaders work to address ongoing budget issues. Fayette County Public Schools says its finances have been misstated since 2008.

“I feel like I’m being punished for other people’s mistakes,” Poteat said.

Poteat has worked for the district for 13 years and says the role combined everything he cares about.

“It was my dream job. I got to combine all my passions. I’ve always loved sustainability. I find energy efficiency super fascinating. It’s like putting a puzzle together,” Poteat said.

He believed his position would be protected because of the direct financial value his team provides.

“We’re the only department whose sole purpose is to save money for the district,” Poteat said.

His two-person department has saved the district an average of $2 million per year. District presentations show the department avoided more than $31 million in utility costs. Data also show the district used more energy in 2010 than in 2025, despite having nearly 2 million more square feet.

“This shows the total energy consumption of the district. In 2010 we actually used more than we did in 2025, even though we have almost 2 million more square feet. So our department is doing something right,” Poteat said.

Poteat’s work extends into classrooms, where he trains the Bluegrass Youth Sustainability Council on energy audits. He says he has repeatedly tried to present his department’s work, or ask questions to district leadership, but has been blocked from doing so.

“Part of me feeling like the district leadership doesn’t know what I do is because I haven’t been allowed to speak in front of them,” Poteat said.

He says he attempted to get on the board agenda four times in recent years, with little success.

“Three out of the last four times I’ve attempted to get on the board agenda and was told I was on the board agenda with an item, I show up to the board meeting and three of those times my item was removed from the agenda without any explanation,” Poteat said.

After learning his position was being eliminated, Poteat received a flyer from the district directing him to its Office of Employee Wellness for support during the transition — though two of the four colleagues staffing that office are also not returning next year.

“It’s kind of weird to be laid off and then be told, ‘Hey, you should go see our staff support wellness team,’ and then it’s you,” Poteat said.

His emotions have shifted since receiving the news.

“I was really sad at first, but now I’m just kind of angry,” Poteat said.

A community petition is now circulating online calling on the district to reinstate Poteat’s position.

“I wanted to retire from this job. Been there 13 years, had 17 more to go, almost halfway. And to just lose it so unceremoniously is just such a baffling decision made by the district,” Poteat said.