Tulsa's Dr. Keith Ballard Named 2012 Oklahoma Superintendent of the Year

The superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools has been named 2012 Oklahoma Superintendent of the Year by the Oklahoma Association of School Administrators.

The announcement honoring Dr. Keith Ballard was made late Monday by the OASA.

Dr. Ballard will be recognized during the organization's annual summer conference in Oklahoma City in June. Dr. Ballard says he is honored.

"It is so gratifying to receive such positive affirmation from one's own peers, especially in light of the challenges that every superintendent in the state faces on a daily basis. There is no doubt in my mind that closing the achievement gap for children in Oklahoma has become increasingly difficult, especially due to reduced funding and other impediments facing Oklahoma superintendents in today's environment," said Dr. Keith Ballard.

Ballard has 40 years of experience in education and has been superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools for the past four years.