Garland ISD superintendent resigns

GARLAND, Texas - The Garland Independent School District will be looking for a new leader after the sudden retirement of its current superintendent.

An emergency board meeting was held Tuesday to discuss an interim replacement for Dr. Bob Morrison. The board accepted his resignation effective immediately.

Two months ago, the board hired attorneys to investigate Morrison and possible wrong doings, sources told FOX 4.

“I know that morale is not good among teachers,” said Dr. Gary Reeves, a retired Garland ISD employee. “This is a good thing for the superintendent to leave. It will help morale.”

Reeves was head of human resources when the district’s trouble with immigration issues for teachers recruited from foreign countries broke in 2014. He was placed on administrative leave and then brought back to be allowed to retire.

The investigation went to Homeland Security. Morrison spoke to FOX 4 about the investigation into the H1B visa program

“This is just looking at the process of how individuals are sponsored,” he said in the 2014 interview.

Reeves leaving the district brought the first calls to fire Morrison. Protesters wore paper bags over their heads and said they were teachers. They accused Morrison of bullying staff and feared retaliation if Morrison knew who they were.

The superintendent’s supporters were saddened by the news of his retirement.

“He came in, did a lot of changes, lot of movement,” said Consuelo Ramos, a Garland ISD employee, “Lot of people were not happy of the things that he did.”

At the meeting, Morrison only read a two-sentence statement.

“A school district is measured by the commitment of the board staff and community to its children and their achievement,” he read. “This district is indeed committed. I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the staff and community for their support of the district programs and services during my tenure.”

An interim superintendent has not been named.