E.C. Glass principal to retire

By Annie McCallum
Lynchburg News & Advance
Published: March 19, 2008

E.C. Glass principal Susan Morrison has walked the high school’s halls as an authority figure for more than a decade.

Even before her time as an administrator she was no stranger to the school’s corridors and classrooms.

This spring, the Lynchburg native and the city schools’ first woman high school principal will retire.

A 1967 E.C. Glass graduate and former Glass teacher, Morrison has left an indelible mark on the school, its faculty and its students.

“I tried to keep her another year,” Superintendent Paul McKendrick said. “She’s done a great job.”

McKendrick made the announcement of Morrison’s retirement following Tuesday’s school board meeting. Morrison, who was not present at the meeting, could not be reached for comment Tuesday evening. The first Glass principal to also be an alumna of the school, Morrison first assumed the position of interim principal in August 1995. She was selected by the school board in April 1996 to become principal. Before serving as interim principal, Morrison was LCS supervisor for instruction and special education, and prior to that she was a special education teacher at Glass.

McKendrick said he would follow the same procedure replacing Morrison as he did last year when Heritage High School principal Robert Miller retired. The process, McKendrick said, will start with speaking to Glass staff to see what staffers want in a principal.

Candidates from inside and outside the school system will be considered, McKendrick said.

“We’re looking for the best person.”

McKendrick also said he hopes to have a replacement named by the end of the school year so Morrison can aid in the transition.
“(Glass) has a great tradition and a great history,” McKendrick said, adding he’s looking for someone to continue that legacy.

Susan Morrison at a glance
- 1967 E.C. Glass alumna
- Bachelor’s degree in history from Radford College in 1970
- Master’s degree in special education from West Virginia College of Graduate Studies in 1981
- Special education teacher at Glass from 1981-1982
- City schools’ supervisor for instruction and special education until 1995
- E.C Glass interim principal in 1995