Students and staff have expressed the he has been the “absolute best superintendent” who has shown them that “kindness matters,” and that it’s not just the slogan of Staunton Schools.
Dr. Garett Smith was honored at a reception Monday night at City Hall for serving the school system as superintendent for eight years. He announced in February that he will retire effective June 30.
Staunton School Board Chair Kristin Siegel shared after the reception that when Smith texted her on the morning of February 3 and asked her to meet him at the school board office, she felt a feeling in the pit of her stomach that she knew what news he had to tell her.
She considered ignoring his text message and stalling for time.
“But, as I stand here at this podium right now, you can see that my stall tactic didn’t exactly work out,” Siegel said.
She said that words are difficult when describing what Dr. Garett Smith has meant to the Staunton community.
Many schools superintendent are probably spoken about unfavorably behind their backs,
Teachers and staff shared with Siegel that Smith is “committed,” “our equity champion,” “a trailblazer,” “dedicated and kind,” and “makes people feel seen and valued.”
A student said that Smith taught them that “kindness matters.”
“Dr. Smith, I don’t think there are more powerful words to express our gratitude than the ones shared by our staff and students. They reflect our deep appreciation for your leadership, kindness and commitment to our division over the past eight years. Your legacy will last for generations because of the profound impact that you have had on these young people and their educators,” Siegel said.
The school board and school system owe Smith a debt of gratitude, according to Siegel, not only for elevating it academically, but for showing everyone the importance of kindness.
Siegel presented Smith with a book of memes, photographs and well wishes as a keepsake of his eight years as superintendent of Staunton Schools.
“We hope that when you look at it from time to time you’ll be reminded of the enormous impact that you have made on all of us in Staunton City Schools,” Siegel said.
School board member Michele Kielty said that her oldest child was about to start high school in 2017 and she was nervous.
“Not knowing anything about our new superintendent and principal who were coming in, I was pleasantly surprised by the gift our schools received in our new leaders. I felt that I had hit the jackpot and no longer had to worry about what my high school freshman might be walking into,” Kielty said.
She said that the first time she spoke with Smith, he seemed to already know her name and her children’s names.
“This went a long way to making me feel seen and heard as a parent,” Kielty said.
Smith’s leadership of Staunton Schools elevated the school system to where parents and the community wanted it to be.
“I now see the values we embody as a school system as a model of leadership for the type of community Staunton strives to be. All are welcome here,” Kielty said.
Smith enabled the students of Staunton to become a strong foundation of the community.
School Board member Joann Jeter said that a large part of Smith’s legacy with Staunton Schools will be kindness but also the connections he created with students, staff and school board members.
“You led this division by making connections to the individuals within it. This, of course, is a strategic way to lead, but it is so remarkable here, because, for you, it’s authentic,” Jeter said.
Students looked forward to seeing Smith and making themselves and him proud. He was a champion for Staunton students.
Jeter said she saw the impact of connections on Smith.
“So, thank you for all the measurable outcomes,” Jeter said.
School board member Fontella Brown-Bundy said that Smith has been a personable and professional leader who connected “effortlessly with students of all ages and backgrounds. The students feel seen and valued by him. He always makes decisions with both the students’ best interests and the community and wellbeing in mind.”
She thanked him for seeing her as an individual and encouraged her to continue to serve on the school board. His impact reaches beyond school board meetings and the walls of Staunton‘s schools.
“We’ll miss your leadership, laughter and your presence. Enjoy your retirement,” Brown-Bundy said.
School board member Ronald Ramsey was on school board chair when Smith was hired. Ramsey said that Smith seemed nervous during the interview process. He and his fellow school board members could see how passionate Smith was about helping students and that was what Staunton Schools wanted. A shared focus of working for Staunton‘s children was never in doubt in the last eight years.
“And signing his first contract to bring him to Staunton to be our superintendent is one of the best things I’ve done serving on this board,” Ramsey said. “Thank you, Garett, for your unwavering commitment to Staunton City Schools for these eight years, all the students, all the staff, all of the community, all of the time.”
Teachers, staff, students and parents in Staunton Schools know that kindness matters because of Smith.
“And, I’d like to add, Garett Smith matters,” Ramsey said.
According to Ramsey, in honor of Smith, a tree has been planted at each Staunton school.
“I promise I wouldn’t be moving on if I didn’t think everything was in great shape,” Smith told the school board.
Former school board member Kenneth Venable was on the board in 2018 when the school system changed the name of Robert E. Lee High School to Staunton High School and during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. He said that working with Smith during both difficult times was wonderful and he considers him a good friend.
Becky Cox said “bless you” to Smith for all that he has done for the school system. She attended Staunton Schools as a child and she said that few have a heart and a brain, but Smith has both. As organizer of Staunton‘s Weekly Religious Education program, she sees that students know Smith as their superintendent.
Susan Venable said that Smith became like family to her and her husband. When Kenneth Venable was very ill a few years ago, Smith visited him in the hospital. Susan Venable thanked Smith for being personable and said she appreciates him.
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Dr. Garett Smith announces retirement from Staunton Schools
BWP and Associates leads search for next Staunton Schools Superintendent
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Rebecca Barnabi
