DMPS recommends Matt Smith as interim superintendent, would take over after Tom Ahart leaves

Matt Smith — the one time North High School principal who gained national recognition for boosting student test scores and graduation rates and who has risen to the district's second in command during the last decade — is expected to be Des Moines Public Schools' interim superintendent next year, the district announced Friday.

If he's approved by the school board next week, Smith would temporarily lead Iowa's largest and most diverse school district after longtime Superintendent Tom Ahart leaves this summer.

“Matt Smith brings experience as both a school and a district leader that will serve Des Moines Public Schools well during this period of transition,” school board Chair Dwana Bradley said in a statement. “I am pleased to be recommending him to my colleagues to take on this responsibility during an important time for our district.”

Ahart, who served as superintendent for 10 years, announced his resignation earlier this year. His long tenure defies national trends: Most leaders of large urban school districts stay in their posts for just three to five years.

The school board is planning a nationwide search for the district's next superintendent. It wants a new superintendent in place by the start of the 2023-24 school year.

“I’m humbled and honored to have the opportunity to serve as the interim superintendent for Des Moines Public Schools for the 2022-2023 school year,” Smith said in a statement. “We have a chance to unite as a student body, staff, and community to achieve unprecedented results as we relentlessly pursue equity and excellence in all endeavors.”

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Smith will take over the school district at a critical time. Schools across the U.S. are stabilizing after the COVID-19 health crisis has interrupted learning for parts of three school years. Academic gains that DMPS made before the pandemic have eroded. Most of the district's high schools are considered low-performing by the state.

The district's enrollment, which is the foundation of the district's budget, has been shrinking.

And the district's educators and students, in particular at East and Hoover high schools, are grappling with the aftershocks of a drive-by shooting that killed a former student and critically injured two others.

The Des Moines Education Association is looking forward to working with Smith, including on "improving the conditions for learning and working in Des Moines Public Schools," union President Josh Brown said in a statement.

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Smith is a Texas native. He began his education career in 1999 at the Aldine Independent School District in Texas. He joined the Des Moines school district in 2010 as North High's principal.

In 2012, North High was selected as one of the College Board’s “Spotlight on Success” schools for increasing Advanced Placement courses. The school also was named by the U.S. Department of Education as a “School of Focus” for its use of grant money for educator training.

After leading North for three years, he was tapped by Ahart in 2013 to be the district's executive director of learning services and student activities. In that role, he focused on students at risk of not graduating from high school and extra- and co-curricular activities for students in grades 6-12 throughout the district.

The following year, Smith's meteoric rise continued when he was named chief schools officer. And in 2018 he was named associate superintendent, essentially Ahart's No. 2.

During his tenure as chief schools officer, the district won the Wallace Grant for the Principal Supervisor Initiative. Smith was the project's director and led the transformation of the district's headquarters. That work aimed to improve the role school principals play in coaching teachers.

Smith's appointment comes with little shock. He was only one of two potential internal candidates who met the qualifications to assume the position. In recent weeks he has become the face of the school district as it responded to the shooting at East High.

More: She was shot outside East High School, but this 'warrior' teen is now fighting through recovery

Ahart's last day will be June 30. As part of his severance, Ahart will be paid a full year's salary and benefits.

Smith's one-year contract will begin July 1.

His appointment is expected to be made official Tuesday when the school board meets.

Samantha Hernandez covers education for the Register. Reach her at (515) 851-0982 or svhernandez@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @svhernandez or Facebook at facebook.com/svhernandezreporter.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: DMPS recommends Matt Smith as interim superintendent