CMS says former superintendent owes $1,300 in travel expenses

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools said Thursday that it has determined that former superintendent Heath Morrison needs to reimburse the district nearly $1,300 in travel expenses.

A CMS spokeswoman was unable to detail what specifically the expenses were for. But the district said that a “final review” of Morrison’s expense reports turned up $1,286.75 in expenses it has requested he pay back.

Morrison did not immediately respond to an Observer request for comment.

Questions about Morrison’s travel expenses were brought to light by Morrison’s former assistant in the weeks after Morrison resigned from the superintendent’s role in November. She also said that Morrison bullied her at work, allegations that ultimately led to his resignation.

Morrison used a CMS credit card for his frequent travel on behalf of the district. He also worked as a consultant for several education companies.

In 2013, Morrison reimbursed CMS about $3,000 for personal travel expenses that appeared on the district’s credit card in his first year as superintendent.

Morrison has said that after that, he was “meticulous” with his travel records and that any discrepancies were “inadvertent errors” for which he would immediately reimburse the district.

This story was originally published May 14, 2015 at 7:05 PM with the headline "CMS says former superintendent owes $1,300 in travel expenses."