Morrow resigns as high school principal

Dr. Christopher Morrow has tendered his resignation at principal at Gonzales High School.

In confirming the action Friday, Gonzales ISD superintendent Dr. Kim Strozier said Morrow’s resignation is effective at the end of the current school year. He will remain on administrative leave until the effective date of his resignation.

Morrow has been on administrative leave since Feb. 1 when he was involved in a traffic accident in Victoria. He was arrested at the accident scene after he failed a field sobriety test, according to Sgt. Eline Moya, public information spokesman for the Victoria Police Department. Morrow was booked into Victoria County Jail following his arrest, and posted bond the following day.

Morrow has not been convicted of the charges against him.

Strozier did not provide any further comment about Morrow’s resignation or the charges associated with the traffic accident. At the time of the accident, Strozier said “it is not our practice to comment on employee matters of a confidential nature.”

Morrow, 40, assumed his duties as high school principal on June 11, 2012. He had one more year remaining on his current employment contract.

According to Victoria officer Rick Soto who investigated the Feb. 1 accident, Morrow was southbound on Main Street (U.S. Highway 87) near Mockingbird Lane driving a silver Hyundai about 6:30 p.m. when he collided with a northbound Dodge pickup driven by David Silva, 49, of Dripping Springs.

Soto’s report said Morrow was left of the highway center stripe traveling southbound in the northbound lane when the Hyundai struck the bed of the pickup, knocking the pickup off its axle and demolishing the front of the Hyundai.

Silva said when he noticed the car bearing down on him in the wrong lane, he attempted to swerve out of the path, but could not avoid the collision. Silva told police the Hyundai was traveling between 70 and 80 mph, but Soto could not confirm the speed.

No one was seriously injured in the accident.

Morrow was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, Moya said, adding that it was his first offense.

Morrow moved to Gonzales from the Texas panhandle city of Friona, located near Clovis, N.M., where he replaced Joe Martinez as high school principal. Martinez took over as director of transportation for GISD.

Morrow holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a masters degree in educational leadership from Texas Tech, and received his doctorate in education leadership and policy studies from Tarleton State University. Morrow holds State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) licenses as a classroom teacher in composite social studies, PK-12 principal and PK-12 superintendent.

Morrow began his career in education as a social studies teacher and coach, and has served in a teacher/coach capacity for seven years before he began his administrative career. He has served as assistant principal and principal at all levels, with six years high school principal experience. Morrow was principal at Friona High School from 2008-12.