Heath Morrison troubles

Former Washoe County schools superintendent Heath Morrison's departure from the superintendency of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools in North Carolina, purportedly to care for an ailing mother, has become a subject of considerable dispute.

On Nov. 4, Andrew Dunn and Ann Doss Helms reported in the Charlotte Observer that Morrison's resignation was preceded by an investigation of a “culture of fear” during his tenure, including alleged mistreatment of school district workers. Two days later, the school board accepted his resignation on a 6-to-3 vote. He served for a little over two years of what was supposed to be a four-year tenure. He denied knowing anything about the investigation before he resigned.

The school board chair has called for an investigation to track down whoever leaked news of the “fear” probe.

Like former Washoe superintendent Pedro Martinez, Morrison was a graduate of the Broad Academy, which trains school administrators to use business principles in education.