CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It has been one week since the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board voted to accept former superintendent Heath Morrison's resignation.
Morrison cited "family reasons" but since then, Channel 9 learned more about a report into the former superintendent's alleged misconduct.
PAST ARTICLE: School board member on Morrison: 'I wish he was still our superintendent'
George Battle is CMS' general counsel and he did the investigation for his client, the School Board. Battle said his interviews with more than 10 people began after a conversation with an attorney who has worked with the district for two decades.
Kevin Bringewatt has been outside counsel for CMS since 1994, working mainly on real estate business issues.
On Oct. 10, Bringewatt said he told Battle he wanted to resign because he did not feel he could practice "ethically and effectively" with Morrison.
"That spurred my interest," Battle said adding before his conversation with Bringewatt, he got two "anonymous complaints" about Morrison.
After his conversation with Bringewatt, Battle said he spoke with a "senior CMS official" who voiced concerns as well. That's when Battle decided more exploration into Morrison was needed.
Channel 9 asked Battle if it was hard for him to investigate someone he said he held in high regard.
"It was not difficult because I am aware of my job," Battle said.
Board members said Battle's report recommended Morrison to be fired. But Battle said Morrison offered his resignation before any discussion about firing began.
"At no time was Dr. Morrison told, you need to resign or X, Y, Z will happen to you," Battle said.
Board member Eric Davis has repeatedly questioned the process into Morrison's resignation, including what "authorization the investigation was done under."
Battle sent an email to the board Wednesday night to refute claims "that the investigation into Morrison's misconduct was initiated as a vendetta by me."
And Battle said Thursday that his "fact-finding" investigation was done correctly and "above board."
"I also know that Dr. Morrison's attorney in speaking with her multiple times over the past few weeks has not expressed any concerns to me about any part of this process," Battle said.
Most board members with whom Channel 9 has spoken agree they will need to look at policies going forward.
"I'm really frustrated by where we go now. We've got to go forward," Tom Tate, District 4 board member said.
The board will meet Wednesday.
Members still need to officially vote to make deputy superintendent Ann Clark the interim superintendent.
There has been no discussion publicly yet about how the board will go about replacing Morrison.
Read our past coverage:
- Morrison says family reason he stepped down as superintendent
- Sources: Superintendent's resignation may be linked to magnet school
- Clark tapped to takeover CMS in the interim
- Uncertainty of CMS' leadership could impact sales-tax vote
- City leaders kept in dark about Morrison's possible resignation
- CMS Superintendent Heath Morrison cites mother's health for resignation
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