Senate Concurrent Resolution 552

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING NORTHWEST RANKIN HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL RICHARD MORRISON AS THE 2011 "STATE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR."

WHEREAS, on January 20, 2012, the State Board of Education announced that Richard Morrison has been named as the 2011 "State Administrator of the Year." Morrison has been a Principal at Northwest Rankin High School since 2008. In December 2011, he was named the Third Congressional District 2011 Administrator of the Year by the Mississippi Department of Education; and

WHEREAS, since becoming Principal, Richard Morrison has led the school to achieve the top accountability ranking for schools in Mississippi (STAR) for three consecutive years. He is a 23-year veteran of education and has been with the Rankin County School District for 16 years, beginning as a Teacher and Coach and moving to Assistant Principal and then Principal; and

WHEREAS, "I was very surprised with this Award. I thought being named the Third Congressional District 2011 Administrator of the Year was a great honor," Morrison said. "The only way I could have possibly won this State Award was through the support of the Northwest Rankin staff. Northwest Rankin is a great school with a community full of supportive parents and businesses"; and

WHEREAS, Morrison said the most important thing at Northwest Rankin is instruction that is given in the classroom. The first thing a teacher needs to do is show the students that he/she cares about them. Morrison said through the years the leadership has always challenged students in the classroom. He is committed to student and faculty development. He and his team of Assistant Principals are in the hallways, in the classrooms, giving feedback to teachers and working with students each day. Teachers have to connect what the student is learning in the classroom with what is happening in the world outside the classroom; and

WHEREAS, "He has been described as an Administrator who distinguishes himself from others by his genuine concern for all students and an open-door policy that encourages equal access for students, parents, community members and teachers. He makes education relevant by embracing technology and using data and research to drive decisions," State Board of Education Chairman Charles McClelland said; and

WHEREAS, Morrison's vision for improvement, development and enhancement of responsibilities include a continued focus on rigor, relevance and relationships within the classroom, and growing partnerships among parents, the community and business leaders; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we join the education community in honoring this dedicated Mississippi School Administrator whose leadership has improved the educational opportunities for the students in his school:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and commend Northwest Rankin High School Principal Richard Morrison as the 2011 "State Administrator of the Year" awarded by the State Board of Education, and extend our best wishes to Richard Morrison and his family on this auspicious occasion.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Richard Morrison, forwarded to the Rankin County Board of Education, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.