Fall River School Committee elects interim Superintendent of Schools

Fall River Public Schools has their replacement for Dr. Tracy Curley, albeit with an interim tag.

On Wednesday, the Fall River School Committee unanimously selected Kathleen Smith, JD, as the district’s interim Superintendent of Schools.

Smith is a highly respected Massachusetts school administrator with more than four decades of experience in public education.

A longtime Brockton educator, she made history in 2013 when she was named the first female Superintendent of the Brockton Public Schools, becoming the first internal candidate to rise to the district’s top position in 18 years.

Smith began her career in the Brockton school system in the late 1970s as a teacher and guidance counselor. Over the years she advanced through several leadership roles, including Director of Community Schools, a position she held from 2001 until her appointment as superintendent. During her six-year tenure as Brockton superintendent (2013–2019), she led a large urban district serving approximately 17,000 students across 25 buildings with a $220 million budget and more than 2,500 employees. She focused on strengthening leadership capacity, advocating for increased state support, and building partnerships with community organizations.

After retiring from Brockton in June 2019, Smith continued her career as an interim superintendent, bringing stability and expertise to several districts during periods of transition. She has served in that role for the Salem Public Schools (2019–2020), Weymouth Public Schools (2021), Dover-Sherborn Public Schools (2021–2022), and Newton Public Schools (2022–2023).

Smith holds a Juris Doctor from New England School of Law, a master’s degree from Bridgewater State University, and a bachelor’s in education from Westfield State.

She is known for her strong advocacy on issues including social-emotional learning, equity in urban education, and professional development for educators.

Throughout her career, Smith has been recognized for her leadership and community involvement, including receiving the ATHENA Award from the Metro South Chamber of Commerce in 2013. She is widely regarded as a mentor and role model for women in educational leadership.