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Washoe County School District's Heath Morrison Named Finalist for National Superintendent of the Year
Reno, NV (Jan, 4, 2011) - Washoe County School District Superintendent Heath Morrison has been named a finalist for the 2012 National Superintendent of the Year. The American Association of School Administrators (AASA) selected Morrison and three other superintendents as the four finalists in the national program. "I am exceptionally honored and humbled," Morrison said. "There are some amazing educational leaders in this country who are doing phenomenal work to improve the lives of the nation's children. Being selected as a finalist for this award is truly an acknowledgment of the amazing efforts of the educators in Washoe County and a result of hard work and effort by many people in the district and in our community. Our reform efforts have led to improved student achievement and increased opportunities for every child's future."
AASA will announce the winner of the 2012 National Superintendent of the Year on Feb. 16, 2012 at the National Conference on Education in Houston, Texas. The program, which is sponsored by ARAMARK Education, ING and AASA, celebrates the contributions and leadership of public school superintendents.
"When we called for educational reform several years ago, we were looking for a superintendent who would inspire change and re-energize our community in support of education. Heath is exactly that type of leader. He has stimulated genuine change that is making a difference in the lives of our children," Board President, Dr. Barbara McLaury said.
Billinghurst Middle School principal Ken Cervantes said Morrison's visionary leadership set high expectations of college- and career-readiness for every student. "I have witnessed Dr. Morrison be the catalyst for positive change in the Washoe County School District. His enthusiasm, motivation and leadership have taken our children and schools to new heights."
Student achievement has continued to make significant improvements under Morrison's leadership. Between 2009 and 2011, the District's graduate rate jumped 14 points from 56 percent to 70 percent with increases in every student subgroup. Washoe County School District also has witnessed academic gains in test scores and has successfully narrowed the achievement gap in many subject areas. At a time of declining resources, the district continues to push for greater excellence through innovative programs like Door to Door for Student Achievement, its Re-Engagement Centers, and the Parent University.
When Dr. Morrison joined WCSD, the Board of Trustees charged him with initiating educational reform that would greatly improve student achievement. He led the community process in the development of the District's five-year strategic plan, Envision WCSD 2015 - Investing In Our Future, which lays out a pathway to ensure every child receives a high-quality education and graduates from high school ready for college and highly-skilled careers.
In the letters of recommendation for the award, Andrea Hughs-Baird, a WCSD parent, said "Dr. Morrison has been able to transform the community's vision and expectations of our education system with his amazing communication skills. During innumerable meetings with the staff, parents, and community, he explained the facts and difficulties facing our students and the community and challenged us to join him in doing something about it."
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid praised Morrison's leadership and advocacy at a time of budget reductions. Nevada's economic crisis led to some of the largest proportional cuts to the public education system in the country, adding to the challenges facing the school district. "Despite the budget restrictions, Dr. Morrison has helped institute dramatic educational reforms in the district and has demonstrated his commitment to ensuring that Nevada students are able to compete in the global economy," Reid said.
Governor Brian Sandoval, who also provided a letter of recommendation, said "Dr. Morrison is a strategic thinker who builds strong relationships in his community and policymakers in the state capital. He is respected by his peers in all of Nevada's school districts and I know he enjoys very close relationships with members of the Nevada Legislature as well."
The annual Superintendent of the Year program is open to all U.S., Canadian, and International school superintendents who plan to continue in the profession. The applicants were measured against the following criteria:
• Leadership for learning - creativity in successfully meeting the needs of students in the school system.
• Communication - strength in both personal and organizational communication.
• Professionalism - constant improvement of administrative knowledge and skills, while providing professional development opportunities and motivation to others on the education team.
• Community involvement - active participation in local community activities and an understanding of regional, national and international issues.
A $10,000 college scholarship will be presented in the name of the National Superintendent of the Year to a student in the high school from which the superintendent graduated or the school now serving the same area.
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About Washoe County School District: The Washoe County School District includes the Reno/Sparks metropolitan area, Incline Village, Gerlach, Empire and Wadsworth, Nevada. The District provides each of its 63,000 students with a superior education in a safe and challenging environment and is committed to graduate every child career and college ready.
For more information visit: www.washoecountyschools.org. Follow us on Twitter at WCSDTweet.
Washoe County School District
425 East Ninth Street
Reno, NV 89512
