EPISD: Franklin STEAM magnet program not ending

Officials at the El Paso Independent School District said the program at Franklin High School’s STEAM magnet school is not ending.

Several parents contacted ABC-7 with concerns the program was about to evaporate.

In 2016, EPISD announced Franklin High School was partnering with the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center El Paso to create a pipeline of students wishing to earn a registered nursing degree.

Many parents made the decision to send their children to the school’s STEAM magnet program due to the curriculum they were offering in nursing. They were also enticed by a two year internship-style class that would take place at the new Texas Tech Health Sciences Center El Paso located on the city’s west side.

ABC-7 contacted district officials, who said there was a leadership change. The program, however, is not ending. They say the district is committed to continuing to develop it and making it a strong component of their high school options.

Administrators held a meeting with parents Wednesday evening to dispel the rumors.

“Tonight we are just meeting with our parents and our students to update them about where we are with our steam program here at high school,” said Carla Gonzales, assistant superintendent of high schools.

But the district did run into some challenges with the program.

“What we needed to do was offer more of the courses that are required by Texas Tech for those students that are interested in the nursing pathway. There’s additional courses that are required by the state of Texas and so we are working with dual credit to make them part of the plan,” Gonzales said.

Franklin’s STEAM program will now partner with El Paso Community College.

“They are working with us to provide the courses required in order to meet the qualifications for Texas Tech,” Gonzales said.

Gonzales tells ABC-7 they will also focus on keeping parents informed.

“One of our goals is to expand our parent involvement and having a advisory council that will be community members, parents and students to help us guide what students, what parents are looking for and what our community can support us with,” Gonzales said.

The steam program also has different pathways.

Some include audio visual production and technology.

The district says now that they are on board with EPCC it can help boost the programs.

Administrators say they will be working on a web page where parents and students can see some of the changes that will help better guide them or you can request a one-on-one meeting.