Washoe school superintendent Morrison wins award

RENO -- Washoe County School Superintendent Heath Morrison has been named the 2012 national Superintendent of the Year by the American Association of School Administrators, but the real winner could end up being a student in his district encompassing Reno and Sparks.

Association Director Daniel Domenech made the announcement in Houston Thursday at the group's national conference on education. He says despite the fact Nevada's once-booming economy has been hurting, Morrison has led his community's development of a five-year strategic plan to improve graduation rates.

The award comes with a $10,000 college scholarship. Morrison told KRNV-TV he intends to give it to a deserving student in the Washoe school district.

The former school administrator from Maryland beat out three other finalists from North Carolina, Virginia and Delaware.