CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Some members of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools community felt former Superintendent Peter Gorman was not responsive to their requests, which was an important factor in choosing the new schools chief.
A trustee at Dr. Heath Morrison’s current school district in Reno, Nev., said Morrison was always up front and communicated well with the board and community.
Thursday night, just hours after being announced the new CMS superintendent, education leaders in Charlotte are reacting to the news.
“I think our school board has done a very thorough job of getting the best candidate, so I feel quite confident that Dr. Morrison will be a strong superintendent for our community,” said Dr. Bill Anderson, the executive director of Meck Ed, a nonprofit organization that advocates for public education.
"He did very well in our community forums last week, and I feel quite confident that he’ll be a very solid candidate and will lead us to the next level,” he added.
While Anderson is 100 percent behind the district’s top pick, Randolph Ryerson is skeptical.
He thinks Morrison is coming from a district that is too small and lacks experience.
When it comes to education, Anderson said the Charlotte community places too much emphasis on the next superintendent.
“We think the next superintendent is going to be Superman, and a lot of it is about what we’re going to do as a community,” he said.
On Facebook, people have been discussing the announcement since it was made.
“I must say, this man sounds like he is the right man for the job,” said Kimberly Twitty Hendrix.
However, Lisa Martinez Grant had her heart set on CMS hiring from within its ranks.
“I was hoping the woman (Ann Clark) that has dedicated her career to CMS would have received the position,” she said.
WSOC
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