Possible TPS Superintendent Replacement

A candidate to replace Tulsa School Superintendent Doctor Michael Zolkoski says he was asked about the job over the weekend by a member of the Tulsa school board.

News On 6's Emory Bryan reports the official search has not started, but the Tulsa board mentioned a possible replacement on Monday night.

He is Doctor Keith Ballard, who served as superintendent in Claremore and Oologah.

Doctor Keith Ballard's career in education took him from the classroom to the Superintendent's office, to the state school boards association in Oklahoma City.

Now he says he's eager to be a superintendent again and would like the job in Tulsa.

"But, if you like being a superintendent, you like being a superintendent. And if you like the town, you like the town. So, that's why I said yes, I'll talk to you," said Dr. Keith Ballard, OK State School Boards Association.

Ballard says he was asked about the job by Matt Livingood, a Tulsa school board member who is also on the board of the Oklahoma State School Boards Association.

"I have yet to have any discussion with the board as a whole. I've been asked if I would entertain the notion and I said yes," said Dr. Ballard.

Ballard's wife and three adult children all live in Claremore. He commutes to Oklahoma City and is ready to be closer to home. He's been a superintendent for 14 years and was in Oologah when a tornado destroyed several buildings and ended the school year.

For the last 9 years he has served at the state level, and while he says he's ready for a job change, he believes the transition to a new superintendent in Tulsa should not go too quickly.

He was happy Doctor Zolkoski will be in the job until October.

"I think that was a smart thing to do because he's done some good things in Tulsa and leaving him there, the whole transition, has to be what's best for the kids. And leadership at the top matters and affects the whole organization," said Dr. Ballard.

Doctor Ballard turns 59-years-old next week and says he would like to be a superintendent for three to five years. Then, continue teaching as a professor at OU Tulsa.

Related Story:

07/15/2008   Dr. Zolkoski Speaks Out On Departure