Press Releases

July 11, 2005
Morrison Leaves New Tech

Napa, CA – On June 24, 2005, after serving as principal for almost ten years, Mark Morrison announced his departure from Napa’s New Technology High School, the countries’ most recognized 21st century high school. Morrison isn’t going far nor is he leaving New Tech completely. Morrison will assume the role of Director of Leadership Development at New Technology Foundation located across the street from the High School on Yajome Street.

In his role as Director of Leadership Development at NTF, Morrision will work with and support principals and directors at fourteen network schools across the country including Napa New Tech. The network will grow to over 30 schools in the next two years.

“Leaving New Tech has given me the opportunity to reflect on how amazing NTHS has become. New Tech opened in 1996 as a national Department of Education demonstration site, but what impresses me has been the school’s ability to sustain its status as a small model high school known nationally and internationally for 21st Century Learning.” says Morrison. “It’s almost comical that a history major/athlete like me would find a home at a school like New Tech. But if you think about New Tech, its elements and designs are very similar to the elements and designs of team sports. In team sports, you’re only as good as your teammates, which says a lot about the people I’ve worked with at Tech. Together we’ve accomplished something amazing. We’ve created a school and a support organization that is changing high school education nationally and internationally.

New Technology Foundation’s CEO Susan Schilling looks forward to Morrison’s migration to the Foundation. “We are delighted to be in a position to offer Mark the logical next step in his career. As the Director of Leadership Development, he will be instrumental in continuing to shape, refine and promote the NTHS model. He will draw on his considerable experience in leading a school organized around the principles of 21st century learning and skill acquisition to help others create similar schools in their respective communities. There is no one with more of a voice of authenticity than Mark and we are pleased to add him to our NTHS Network Replication team. With the NTHS Network expanding to 14 sites in School Year 2005-06, we can use his talent and enthusiasm to reach even higher levels of fidelity to the model.”

NVUSD and NTF will conduct a national search for Morrison’s successor. Superintendent John Glaser has asked Carolyn Ferris to serve as lead teacher and interim principal.

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New Technology Foundation, www.newtechfoundation.org, supports the creation of new small high schools based on the Napa New Technology High School Model, thereby offering a concrete model for how national education reform can be accomplished. NTF is creating an NTHS Network across the country with schools in California, Oregon, Alaska, Colorado, Illinois and Louisiana, with additional schools opening in North Carolina, Texas and New York over the next two years.. For more information, visit the website, or phone (707) 253-6951.

Contact:
Susan Lane, Director of Development | (707) 259-8524
Susan Schilling, CEO | (707) 253-4287