The top school administrator of a central Illinois district has been named the state's superintendent of the year.

Thomas Bertrand of Rochester Community Unit District 3A in Sangamon County received the award Sunday from the Illinois Association of School Administrators during a Chicago conference.

Bertrand has been an educator for 28 years. That includes time as a teacher, coach, principal and assistant superintendent before becoming Rochester's superintendent in 2002.

Bertrand says in a statement he considers the recognition humbling.

In his letter of nomination, Rochester's school board president, Randy Hawkins, wrote that Bertrand "has successfully transformed what could be termed a 'small-town' school into a shining example of success in all facets of public education."