By Ann Doss Helms
Charlotte Observer
April 19, 2012
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has offered its open superintendent job to Heath Morrison of Reno, Nev., district officials announced Thursday.
CMS officials said the district is negotiating a contract with Morrison, and the school board is expected to formally vote on the Morrison’s selection at its regularly-scheduled meeting on April 24. The offer was announced Thursday at a news conference held at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center.
CMS has been looking for a permanent replacement for Peter Gorman, who resigned last year. Hugh Hattabaugh has served as interim superintendent.
Morrison was named a finalist for the CMS job earlier this month, along with CMS Chief Academic Officer Ann Clark and Memphis Superintendent Kriner Cash. All three finalists visited Charlotte last week, and each had strong support from various parts of the Mecklenburg community.
But Memphis officials said earlier Thursday that Cash had withdrawn from the search. Morrison has led the Washoe County district since 2009. He’d previously worked as a teacher and administrator in Charles and Montgomery counties in Maryland.
“We had three very talented individuals in the list of finalists. All of them had unique strengths and areas of expertise,” CMS school board chair Ericka Ellis-Stewart said in a statement. “But we believe that Dr. Morrison is the right leader for CMS now. He brings energy and experience to the many challenges facing our district, as well as a strong commitment to excellence and achievement.”
Related article: Community Responds to Naming of New CMS Chief
Good choice!!!
So much for the BOE taking into consideration the poll results on MeckEd and the Charlotte Observer. Not having Ann as our Sup is going to leave a LASTING NEGATIVE IMPRINT on our community and students!!!!
I thought the BOE was going to wait until early May to announce their decision. So much for careful thought and deliberation. They don’t announce meetings and then do the opposite of what they say they are going to do. Can we really trust the BOE?
Good, sounds like a nice chap. Nice credentials too. Now …. if all those squeaky wheels out there would just find something else to occupy their time, we can let this fine individual get down to work.
At his age, I’m quite sure that when he wants somebody’s input, he already knows how, and who to ask.