Find out more about Andrew by watching clips from his interviews below with the 22 members of the 109 Caucus.

Andrew Morrison has served on the DPS 109 Board of Education since being appointed in May 2019 to fill a board vacancy. His background includes deep and broad experience in the fields of education, business, finance, technology, law, and investment banking.

He has been a K–12 education leader for over 20 years, leading various education businesses in the areas of language and literacy development, professional development and educator effectiveness, the operations of contract schools, and the development and delivery of products and services for students with special needs.

Andrew also appreciates the importance of the issues before the Board from the perspective of a parent. As the father of four, he has had at least one child in DPS 109 every year for the past 16 years until this academic year.

"I intentionally waited until my children were exiting before joining the board so that there would be no question as to the motives for any positions I might advocate for," he says.

Connecting New and Veteran Board Members

Andrew is looking forward to the arrival of incoming superintendent Mike Simeck. If elected, Andrew hopes to be able to help serve as a bridge between the veterans on the board and the new members.

He also sees exciting opportunities to propel the district forward, identifying five key areas to improve DPS 109:

• • Developing a more substantive and robust strategic plan, with metrics and well-articulated milestone markers along the way;

  • Implementing healthier processes to more clearly delineate the role of the board from the role of the administration;

  • Promoting improved and more authentic communication channels and process between and among key stakeholders;

  • Improving and formalizing transparent and predictable processes for evaluating and implementing material changes; and

  • Creating a more inspired and holistic vision of what a DPS 109 education can be for its students.

Education and Professional Experience

Andrew received his B.A. from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and holds an MBA in finance from the University of Chicago and a law degree from the University of California at Berkeley.

In addition to his diverse experiences ranging from founder of an education start-up to CEO of a $100 million education business, he also brings his expertise from previous careers in both law at Skadden Arps and in investment banking at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette.

Andrew holds multiple education-related patents, served as a member of the Illinois Delegation to No Child Left Behind, and helped write the Reading First initiative for the State of Illinois. He is also the founder and executive director of the 1859 Foundation, a nonprofit that makes grants to financially struggling students and young adults to help them achieve their educational or employment goals.

He sees his unique blend of experience and expertise as positioning him to contribute meaningfully and constructively across the broad range of challenges the district has faced over the past two years, as well as the difficult ones that remain.

"I hope that during my tenure I’ve been able to help move the district forward constructively while promoting transparent and open dialogue on the important issues confronting the district," Andrew says.