Kingfisher’s longest tenured administrator will soon be leaving the district.

Keith Campbell was approved during a special meeting Tuesday to be the new superintendent at Balko Public Schools.

Hired at Kingfisher in 2008, Campbell is currently the principal at the junior high (seventh and eighth grades) as well as the district’s transportation director.

He will take over at Balko effective July 1. His wife, Susan, a seventh grade reading teacher here, will also teach at Balko.

“It’s very tough to leave Kingfisher,” Campbell said. “This has been my hometown for almost 15 years. Both of my children (Michayla and Colby) graduated from Kingfisher and this is their hometown. Susan and I have made lifelong friends here and that makes it very tough. I will always be grateful for everything Kingfisher has given me.”

However, Campbell has had the desire to become a superintendent.

“Once I got into school administration and learned how to lead a school, it really became apparent to me that I might have the skills and knowledge to lead a school district,” he said. “It’s something I’ve sort of kept on my back burner here of late, but I’ve always thought that I could do that.”

Campbell was originally hired as the Kingfisher High School assistant principal during Don Scales’ administration and also had some coaching duties.

He became the principal at Kingfisher Middle School in 2010. Two years later, the transportation director duties were added to his slate.

Campbell became the district’s point man in the construction of the new junior high facility, which opened last month.

“That’s something I’m very proud of,” he said.

The Balko position offered two opportunities: career advancement and closer proximity to Susan’s family in the panhandle.

“That put her on board with it,” Campbell said.

As for the job itself, Campbell said Balko offers a lot of what he’s looking for.

“I’ve always admired Balko and what that school and community stand for, just like Kingfisher,” he said. “The smaller district and community appeals to me. Knowing every student’s name appeals to me.”

So, as Campbell put it, he “threw my name into the hat.”

“Things worked out and I was very fortunate to be offered the job over some very good applicants,” he said.

It’s likely KPS will open Campbell’s position this week, said Superintendent Dr. Daniel Craig.

Despite working with Campbell less than a year, Craig said he knows what Balko is getting with its hire.

“He’s been a great principal here for a long time and the students and staff have benefited from his leadership,” Craig said.

“He did so much to get the new junior high school built and opened. Balko is going to get a motivated, honest and hard-working superintendent in Keith Campbell.”

Craig is the third superintendent under which Campbell has worked. He’s also served alongside numerous principals at the various KPS buildings.

“I’ve learned a lot from the superintendents and teachers that I’ve worked with. I’m proud of everything I’ve accomplished in Kingfisher and I’ve always been proud to be from Kingfisher and be a Kingfisher Public Schools employee,” he said.

“I’m honored that Balko is entrusting me with their students and teachers and I hope to live up to their expectations.”