Franklin High principal reportedly retiring after turning down transfer to Irvin High

Longtime Franklin High School principal Carla Gasway sent an email to faculty and staff Monday stating she is retiring next month after turning down a transfer to another school.

ABC-7 has obtained the text of the email, which states, “It is with a heavy heart that I write to let you know that I will be retiring at the end of August. The district wanted me to take a lateral transfer to Irvin (High School), but as you know my heart and soul is with you, Franklin High School and the Franklin community.”

Gasway, the principal at Franklin since 2004, declined to comment through El Paso Independent School District and did not respond to emails from ABC-7.

EPISD told ABC-7 it was aware of the email Gasway sent to faculty and staff, but the district indicated through a spokesperson Gasway had yet to issue a formal letter of retirement.

Gasway further states in the email, “I can’t see myself wearing another school’s colors and supporting another school. Once a Cougar, always a Cougar!”

An online petition called “Keep Principal Gasway at Franklin High School” has been started at Change.org. As of Tuesday afternoon, it had more than 170 signatures, just short of the goal of 200.

Andrea Perez, a Franklin High junior attending summer school, said Tuesday one of her teachers told her about Gasway retiring.

“As part of a job, you should be able to go wherever they move you to,” Perez said, “But I also understand she’s been committed to Franklin so many years, so that’s why she doesn’t want to leave.”

Joey Lucero, a former Franklin student body president now attending San Diego State University, posted a link to the Change.org petition on his Facebook page Tuesday afternoon.

Lucero included the following statement: “Mr. Juan Cabrera and his leadership team’s short-sided decision is appalling. (Carla Gasway) is a tremendous asset to the Franklin community and should have been afforded the respect to finish her career in the place where her heart and commitment lies.”

An EPISD spokesperson said the superintendent reserves the right to move principals around and it is not uncommon to do so during the summer months.