Brighton High School Principal Gavin Johnson is retiring immediately, and he asked that today’s private departure be considered his “parting gift.”
In two of the most difficult emails he said he has ever written — one to parents, one to students, both of which went out Friday afternoon — the popular school administrator first dispelled any notion that his departure was because of something negative.
“I love Brighton High School, and my school board and supervisors like and respect me,” he said. “When an employee leaves, everyone assumes something is wrong. This is NOT the case with this decision.”
Johnson said his retirement has been known by his “bosses and the other principals at BHS” for a long time, and the reason he didn’t tell his students is that he did not want to get emotional.
“I love this job and school so deeply that I couldn’t honestly hold it together if I had to say goodbye to you in the hallways,” he wrote to students. “None of you needed a principal crying while trying to say goodbye.”
Johnson said there were two reasons for his departure: one person, one professional.
“The job has simply taken its toll on me mentally and physically to the point it is affecting my personal health and my ability to be a great father, husband, and person,” he wrote.
Johnson, who has been a principal for 24 years, 13 of which were at Brighton High School, said his “emotional tank is close to empty.”
“I would never be the kind of professional who just comes to work to collect a check,” he said. “It is simply time for me to refresh, reenergize and begin a new adventure.”
He asked for support in “this transition so I can become a healthier man again.”
Johnson said that the school retirement system is complicated, and that there are “important retirement implications with his timing.”
“I sincerely you can afford me this one small personal allowance for my years of service to BHS,” he wrote.
Johnson said plans are in place to run the school without him.
“My team is ready, the central office is ready, and my teachers are ready,” he said.
“I hope you know my job as principal here at BHS is more than that to me, it was my life.
“It has been the privilege of a professional lifetime to be the leader of BHS for almost 14 years … Saying goodbye to my students, to you, to this community, just isn’t in my DNA to be able to do, and hold myself together. Again, I hope you can allow me this one small parting gift and not hold it against me.
“I love this community and certainly know I will see you around town for years to come. I look forward to that and thank you for your unwavering support of me as the principal at BHS.”
