Call Me a Cynic,

but I seriously doubt WCSD's "graduation rates" have actually improved one iota and certainly have nothing to do with an "economic recovery" whereby unemployment there is still around the 13-percent range.

Morrison would have you believe that as soon as he took over the superintendent job from Paul Dugan in August 2009, miracles started happening in the district thanks to Morrison's "reforms."

This is Michelle Rhee-style cooking the books so that the district looks good.   I never did believe the dropout rate was that high in WCSD given the fact there has always been a huge transient population--many, many students move from place to place as their parents find other opportunities elsewhere or they get evicted quite a bit.  Not that many students in Title I elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools stay put for the entire twelve years.  If there really is any "improvement" in the graduation rates, it is because many transient families have left Washoe County in search of better employment opportunities.

Morrison is a shameless publicity hound, and the media follows suit by publishing "reports" that are nothing but rewrites of the district's press releases:

The school district’s improved graduation rates have earned it a place as a finalist for a national education award.

In just his third year on the job, Morrison has brought enormous success to the school district, but the work doesn’t stop there, he said.

Alternative education programs and re-engagement centers are part of a wide net cast to support students inside and outside of school. In addition, WCSD officials said they intend to improve college and career readiness by enrolling more students in more rigorous classes, including Advanced Placement courses.

It's all about him and how he looks.  Disgusting.