Hoops standout comes home to BC as new principal
Noe Hernandez
Former Battle Creek Central High School basketball standout Lance Morrow is returning home this year to assist in his former school district's transformation.
The Battle Creek Board of Education hired Morrow, a 2005 graduate, as principal of the high school's 9th Grade Academy during a special meeting Monday.
He replaces Anita Harvey, who was promoted to director of district transformation this year.
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"It's just an honor to have an opportunity to come back home and really start a leadership career here," said Morrow, an All-City basketball selection during his high school days.
In May, BCPS received an unprecedented $51 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to strengthen the district. The five-year investment includes support for curriculum, teacher and staff professional development, leadership growth and a variety of programs and enrichment opportunities for students.
"We're really working hard to make sure we have the right people in the right positions that can help lead this transformation," Superintendent Kim Carter said after the meeting.
The board also hired Gregory Bish as principal of Valley View Elementary School, Crescenda Jones as principal of Ann J. Kellogg Elementary School, Anthony Mulvey as principal of Verona Elementary School, Kimberly Davis as principal of Post-Franklin Elementary School, and Darryl Blasingame as assistant principal of Northwestern Middle School.
Board members also moved three district veterans. Former Urbandale and Verona Principal Jennifer Kay will become a high school academy principal. Ann J. Kellogg Principal Angela Morris will lead LaMora Park Elementary School principal. Valley View Principal Stephenie Bruce will become the principal at Northwestern.
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After high school, Morrow earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Morehouse College in Atlanta and a master's degree in teaching secondary mathematics and special education from Lesley University in Massachusetts.
He taught at the Friendship Academy of Engineering and Technology in Baltimore, Maryland, for five years and participated in an emerging leaders program.
"Even though it's a homecoming, I still feel like an outsider, in a good way," Morrow said. "It feels great, it really does. I'm just thankful I get to start here and just to give back."
Contact Battle Creek Enquirer education reporter Noe Hernandez at 269-966-0684 or nhernandez@battlecreekenquirer.com.