The Stafford County School Board voted unanimously on Monday to name Daniel Smith as the new superintendent. He will officially begin in the new role on December 9.
Smith is the current chief of staff at Loudoun County Public Schools. He has been with the LCPS since 2022 and has more than 20 years of experience in education. He also served as acting superintendent for LCPS in 2023.
“We are incredibly proud of Dr. Smith as he steps into the role of superintendent in Stafford and are grateful for the lasting impact he has made on LCPS,” said Aaron Spence, LCPS superintendent. “During a time of significant change, his leadership strengthened trust, enhanced stability, and helped solidify the progress we were already making. I offer him my sincerest congratulations and best wishes. Stafford is in good hands.”
Smith has served as a teacher and a principal in several schools, including principal of Lake Braddock Secondary School in Fairfax County.
In his role with LCPS, Smith helped reduce chronic absenteeism, close achievement gaps in English and mathematics, and increase on-time graduation rates to over 97 percent, according to a news release from SCPS. He also contributed to a 24 percent increase in math pass rates at one Title I high school.
“As your new superintendent, I am committed to building strong relationships and trust within our community,” Smith said. “My focus is on meeting the needs of every student and staff member as an instructional leader and working collaboratively with a team of dedicated professionals to ensure the best possible support for every child.”
The former Stafford superintendent, Thomas W. Taylor, left the role in June to become superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools, Maryland’s largest school system. Chris Fulmer has been the acting superintendent since then.
Smith is a native of Chesapeake. He has a bachelor’s degree from James Madison University, a master’s degree in education administration from Shenandoah University, and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Virginia.
Feature image courtesy Stafford County Public Schools
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