For 15 years, Don Morrison
has been the face and voice of Harford County?s schools. He?s announced snow days, heaped praise upon his “Hall of Fame” educators and responded to gas leaks or gun threats.
At The Aegis, the local paper, the running joke is that Morrison?s name has probably appeared more than any byline ? first as a reporter there in the 1970s, then as spokesman for the 40,000-student county school system.
Now he?s retiring at last, and he says he?ll savor being out of the limelight.
“I?m not really a public person at all,” said Morrison, 63.
He spent a decade teaching social studies and coaching baseball at Aberdeen High School, where he counted among his students young Cal Ripken Jr.
“He was very committed, very faithful to the school system,” said County Councilman RichardSlutzky, a former teacher who has known Morrison for 36 years.
Morrison joined The Aegis in the 1970s as a sports reporter, but went on to cover education and write editorials, said Allen Vought, the paper?s managing editor. Some of his biggest scoops included articles on social promotion, teen pregnancy and school bureaucracy, Vought said.
In 1993, Morrison returned to the school system as its chief spokesman, spearheading a new systemwide school newspaper, the “Hall of Fame” program for retired educators, and an expanding role for the schools? Web site.
“Interactivity is now much more prevalent than when I started,” he said. “We have ways on the Web site for parents to ask questions directly of the board and of use. There?s now the expectation of being able to talk directly to the administration.”
Morrison said he had no interest in the vacant school board seat.
Too much politicking, he said, and he wants to spend his retirement traveling, golfing and savoring his 9-month-old granddaughter.
“I owe so much to the school system. It?s done so much for me,” he said. “When I leave, it?s with
all great memories and happiness.”
