CMS Superintendent’s Letter to Public

In one of the largest school districts in the nation, parents, teachers and taxpayers did not know if they had a Superintendent until the Board of Education gave CMS the go-ahead.

 

“Doctor Heath Morrison will resign this Thursday,” CMS Chief Communications Officer Kathryn Block told reporters.

 

He has served half of his four year contract with the district. He was widely accepted as a game changer in schools. Graduation rates reached 85.1 percent in the last school year. That’s nearly five percentage points higher than the previous school year.

 

“He definitely made an impact on the district,” said Block.

 

He was not at work Monday.

 

He only sent word of his resignation through a letter saying in part, “While serving as superintendent is an honor and privilege, it requires a singular and unwavering focus. Recent events have challenged that focus, and I must now rededicate myself to my family, most especially my mother.”

 

He drove to see his mother in Williamsburg, Va. Before working in Charlotte, he worked in Nevada and Maryland.

 

“What we know for sure is we have a strategic plan, 2018, that is a reflection of the voice of the community,” said Block. “We have every intention of maintaining our commitment to that direction that has been put forward by doctor Morrision and the community.”

 

School board members won’t comment on the sudden decision until a meeting on Thursday.  They are expected to iron out Morrison’s separation agreement.

 

There’s no word how much of his $288,000 annual salary he will receive.

 

“At noon, they will come out of their closed session, and there will be an opportunity to talk to the board at that time,” said Block.

 

Deputy Superintendent Ann Clark will take Morrison’s place for now.  Clark was one of the finalists for the superintendent’s job before the school board hired Morrison.

 

The board has not said when it will begin the search for his replacement.