Jeff Smith, assistant principal at Harpool Middle School in Lantana, has been named principal effective in January. He is replacing Mike Vance, who is retiring at the end of the month.
Smith, 41, has been the assistant principal at Harpool since it opened in 2008.
As a former science teacher, he supervised the science, physical education and athletic departments. He oversaw the Admissions, Review and Dismissal (ARD) Committee meetings for special education and the 504 program.
He coordinated CHAMPS, Adopt-A-School: Partners in Education, Student of the Month, TELPAS and other programs at Harpool.
Prior to helping with the opening of Harpool, he was the assistant principal at Strickland Middle from 2002 until 2008. At both schools, he supervised student discipline and team meetings and assisted with parent communication.
Smith was a seventh-grade science teacher at McMath Middle School for four years where he was named Teacher of the Year in 2001 and was the head basketball coach. He also directed summer basketball programs for many years. He is a member of the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals.
Smith received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of North Texas and is a graduate of Denton High School. He has his principal’s and Life and Earth Science’s certifications and has received special training in Covey Leadership, CHAMPS, Crisis Prevention, Safety and Security, Educational Leadership, Bullying Prevention, Special Education, and other programs.
