Superintendent

Dr. J. Scott Smith has been with St. Mary’s County Public Schools since he began as an English teacher at Leonardtown High School (LHS) in 1991.  While in the classroom, he also sponsored the school newspaper, the literary magazine, the school newsletter, several drama productions, and the National Honor Society. Beyond the classroom, he was the English department chair and administrator in charge of Evening High School.  

He left the classroom in 2000 to become an assistant principal at LHS.  Two years later, he became the principal of the school. In 2007, he was promoted to Director of Secondary Schools and advanced to Executive Director in 2012. In the spring of 2013, he was named the acting Assistant Superintendent of Instruction and held that position until the appointment of Interim Superintendent.  On July 1, 2015, Dr. Smith's appointment as Superintendent of Schools began. His contract was renewed by the Board of Education in 2019 and again in 2023. 

Dr. Smith holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Education from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo, a Master’s Degree in Human Resources from Towson University, and a Doctorate of Education from the University of Maryland at College Park.  He is certified to teach English 7-12 and holds Administrator I,  Administrator II, and Superintendent credentials.

Scott and his wife, Michelle, have three boys - who all attended and graduated from St. Mary's County Public Schools. His oldest son, Jacob, has followed his father and is now teaching English at Leonardtown High School.