The Council of Administrators of Special Education presented the Harrie M. Selznick CASE Distinguished Service Award to Bob Runkel at the Council for Exceptional Children Convention earlier this week in Seattle.

The CEC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan international community ofspecial and gifted education educators.

The Harrie M. Selznick annual award recognizes career-long leaders in the administration of special education programs who have made significant contributions to the field.

The Selznick Award is the highest CASE honor available.

Runkel has worked for the Office of Public Instruction for 24 years and is currently serving as acting deputysuperintendent. Runkel' holds educator licenses in the state of Montana as a supervisor of special education P-12, special education teacher P-12, secondary teacher of psychology 7-12, and school psychologist K-12.

"Bob has been a leading advocate for special and gifted education in Montana and his many years of public service has greatly benefited both students and their families," said Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau.