The Wethersfield Board of Education didn’t have to go very far to find a new superintendent.
The board approved a three-year contract with Galva Junior/Senior High School Principal Kurtis Smyth at its February meeting.
Smyth will replace Dr. Andrew Brooks who resigned in October of last year to accept the superintendent’s post in Knoxville. He will turn the reins of District #230 over to Smyth on July 1.
In a statement released to the media after the meeting, Smyth went over his background and accomplishments while at Galva.
Smyth said that over the past five years as principal, he led the implementation of a comprehensive school improvement plan, focused on strengthening literacy and higher order thinking skills resulting in measurable gains in classroom performance, and improved assessment outcomes, and an increased state summative designation score.
He also worked collaboratively with staff to establish greater rigor and consistency in assessment standards through revisions to grading practices.
In addition to academic initiatives, he helped design and oversee key facility improvements, including recent renovations to the school gymnasium.
Prior to serving as principal, Smyth was the Dean of Students and Athletic Director, where he guided athletic programs through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and successfully transitioned the football program to an eight-man format following the conclusion of the Mid-County cooperative agreement.
He began his career as a social science teacher at Kewanee High School, serving nine years in the classroom along with coaching varsity girls basketball and varsity boys soccer.
Regarding the move from neighboring Galva to Wethersfield, Smyth said “I am truly honored and excited to serve the students, staff and community of District #230. There is a strong foundation in place, and I look forward to building on that success together. I am grateful to Galva CUSD Superintendent Becker for his mentorship and I appreciate the support of the teachers, and board of education for their trust and encouragement throughout my time in Galva. I will miss the students, and the supportive community of the Galva School District.
“I am truly honored and excited to serve the students, staff, and community of Wethersfield District #230. There is a strong foundation in place, and I look forward to building on that success together. I am grateful to Galva CUSD Superintendent Becker for his mentorship. I appreciate the support of the teachers, and board of education for their trust and encouragement throughout my time in Galva. I will miss the students, and the supportive community of the Galva School District.”
Smyth said he is eager to begin this next chapter and “remains committed to fostering a student-centered culture focused on academic excellence, opportunity and community engagement.”
Smyth has two daughters, Kendall (9), Adalyn (6). He was raised in Grayslake, Ill., and has lived in the St. Louis and Kansas City areas in his youth. He has a degree in history education and a Superintendent Endorsement from Illinois State University.
