Morris Bye

Morris Bye’s career began as a school superintendent in York, North Dakota, in 1918 following his graduation from Concordia College in Moorhead. In 1923 Bye moved to Thief River Falls where he taught and served as the high school principal for three years.

In 1926 he began the first of seventeen years as Superintendent of Schools in Thief River Falls. Morris Bye was recognized by many as the man who helped Lincoln High School become one of the leading high schools in Minnesota, academically, athletically, and musically.  He directed the design of Lincoln High School, which became a model school when built in 1938 and still functions effectively after almost sixty years.

From 1943 until his retirement in 1964, Mr. Bye served as Superintendent in the Anoka School District, guiding the district through tremendous growth and change to one of the largest districts in the state. 

During his tenure as superintendent, Mr. Bye served as the President of the State Board of Control, was a lobbyist for education at the Minnesota State Legislature, and was a member of Governor Stassen’s Education Advisory Committee.

His family to recognize the important work of Superintendents in Minnesota established the Morris Bye Memorial Award in 1988. The Minnesota Association of School Administrators annually presents this prestigious award to an individual that most exemplifies the principles of Morris Bye.