Dr. Daniel Smith appointed as interim superintendent of LCPS

The Loudoun County School Board appointed Dr. Daniel Smith as the school division’s interim superintendent Thursday, Dec/ 8. Smith was the division’s Chief of Staff.

Smith’s appointment was made during a special meeting at the Loudoun County Public Schools Administrative Offices. He replaces Dr. Scott Ziegler, who the School Board fired Tuesday. 

“During his brief tenure with LCPS, Dr. Smith has earned the School Board’s trust in what has been a very difficult time for the school division,” said School Board Chair Jeff Morse (Dulles District). “His familiarity with the school division will ease a time of transition.”

The School Board plans to initiate a search to find a permanent superintendent for LCPS in the near future. The Board will endeavor to conclude its search for a new superintendent in spring 2023.

“In making its decision, the Board took into account that Dr. Smith was not involved with the incidents that led to the creation of the Special Grand Jury that released its report Monday,” Morse said. “Dr. Smith’s appointment represents the end to what has been a very difficult two years for the community. It is a first step toward restoring community trust in the school division, including the transparency our community deserves.”  

“I accept the challenges that come with my new role and look forward to refocusing the efforts of our employees on maintaining, and improving, a world-class school division,” said Smith. “It is my goal to create a climate that, in the short term, rebuilds public trust and, in the long term, allows the next superintendent to devote their efforts to the most important work schools perform: educating students in a safe environment that allows them to reach their full potential.”    

Smith was appointed Chief of Staff on April 18, 2022. He came to that position from Fairfax County Public Schools, where he most recently served as principal of Lake Braddock Secondary School. Smith has served more than 16 years as a principal at the elementary, middle and high school levels.

Prior to his service in Fairfax, Smith was a principal in Virginia Beach City Public Schools and Page County Public Schools. In 2021, he was recognized as the Virginia PTA Secondary Principal of the Year and the Fairfax County Public Schools Region 4 Outstanding Principal of the Year.

He also has served two terms on the Virginia High School League Executive Committee and is currently on the Board of Directors for Virginia ASCD and the University of Virginia K12 Advisory Council.  

Smith’s educational career began in Kotzebue, Alaska, as a middle and high school teacher and coach. He holds a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from James Madison University, a master’s degree in education administration from Shenandoah University, and a doctorate in education, curriculum and instruction from the University of Virginia.