Stafford County Public Schools
- Number
of Students: 31,105 - Number
of Teachers: 2,340.75 (FTE)
Daniel Smith Appointed as New School Superintendent
Editor’s Note: Daniel Smith was named Stafford County
Public Schools’ new superintendent in mid-November. The following highlights
his background and vision for the future of the school system.
Daniel Smith joins Stafford County from Loudoun County,
formerly the fastest-growing school division in Virginia. Now, Stafford County
holds that distinction, and Smith brings with him valuable experience managing
growth in rapidly expanding school districts.
“We were building schools left and right,” Smith said in an
interview with The Advance on Monday evening, shortly after the School
Board approved his appointment in a special meeting. “I’m able to bring those
experiences to Stafford.”
Smith’s experience also includes leadership in smaller,
rural divisions, such as Page and Shenandoah counties.
“It’s not so much comparing as it’s about figuring out
what’s the best way to go about things for this school division,” he said.
Smith begins his tenure as superintendent on Dec. 9. He
succeeds Thomas Taylor, who left Stafford to become superintendent of
Montgomery County Public Schools in June. Smith most recently served as chief
of staff in Loudoun County and held the role of acting superintendent from 2022
to 2023, navigating the school division through a turbulent period following
the dismissal of his predecessor.
During his time in Loudoun, Smith oversaw significant
improvements in student outcomes, including higher graduation rates and
reductions in chronic absenteeism.
“He’s known for championing forward-thinking initiatives,
such as the establishment of specialized academies in health and medicine,
dual-language immersion programs, and expanded student mental health services,”
said School Board Chair Maureen Siegmund during Monday’s special meeting. “He
has been a lifelong advocate for Virginia’s public schools and works to ensure
that every voice is valued.”
Smith has spent more than 20 years in Virginia’s public
education system, with the exception of one year teaching middle school health
and physical education in Alaska. He said his established relationships within
the Virginia legislature will aid in advocating for increased funding for
Stafford schools.
While in Loudoun, Smith helped improve what he described as
a “contentious relationship” between the School Board and the Board of
Supervisors. His efforts secured the division’s first fully funded budget in
six years.
“I come with the spirit of being completely honest,” Smith
said of his approach to working with Stafford’s Board of Supervisors. “I’m
looking forward to reaching out and meeting them.”
Smith plans to spend his first two weeks visiting as many
schools as possible before the winter break.
“On Day 1, I’m just going to be in the schools meeting the
staff,” he said. After that, he plans to create opportunities to hear from the
community about what the division is doing well and where it can improve.
Stafford’s strategic plan—focused on meaningful
post-secondary outcomes, academic performance, safe and welcoming environments
for students, and investing in staff—was a key factor in Smith’s decision to
join the division.
“One of the things that excites me most about joining is how
closely my own educational philosophy aligns with our district’s strategic
plan,” he said during Monday’s special meeting. “Stafford’s vision [is]
inspiring.”
On a personal level, Smith expressed enthusiasm for the
opportunities Stafford offers his daughter, who will enter ninth grade in the
fall, particularly through the division’s new specialty centers.
Smith and his wife of 21 years are currently searching for a
home in Stafford and “looking forward to being a part of the community.”
Key Dates
- Winter
Holiday: Dec. 23–Jan. 3 - Spring
Break: March 24–31 - Last
Day of School: May 29
Important Websites
