The St. Mary’s County Board of Education has approved three administrative appointments that will take effect July 1, filling leadership roles at two middle schools and in the district’s Title I and family engagement office. The moves come as the school system prepares for the upcoming academic year and continues efforts to strengthen support for students and families.
Victoria James has been named an 11-month assistant principal at Margaret Brent Middle School. She currently works as an instructional resource teacher at the same school and holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from St. Mary’s College of Maryland. In her new role, James will assist with daily operations, instructional leadership and student support at the Leonardtown-area middle school, which serves students in grades six through eight.
Kathryn Smith has been appointed an 11-month assistant principal at Spring Ridge Middle School. She brings experience as a special education teacher at Leonardtown High School and holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and a master’s degree from the University of Maryland University College. Smith will help lead academic and behavioral support initiatives at Spring Ridge, contributing to the school’s efforts to meet the diverse needs of its middle school population.
Kristin Shields has been named the 12-month director of Title I and family engagement. She currently serves as supervisor of Title I within the same department and holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree from Bowie State University. In the expanded role, Shields will oversee programs that provide additional academic support and resources to schools with higher percentages of students from low-income families, while also strengthening family engagement strategies across the district.
These appointments reflect the ongoing work of St. Mary’s County Public Schools to place experienced educators in positions that directly influence classroom instruction and student outcomes. Middle school years are a critical period for academic growth and social development, and assistant principals play a key role in shaping school climate, supporting teachers and addressing individual student needs.
The Title I and family engagement office focuses on closing achievement gaps by coordinating federal funding and programs that target schools with greater economic challenges. Strong family engagement has been linked in education research to improved attendance, behavior and academic performance, making leadership in this area particularly important for district-wide success.
Superintendent Dr. J. Scott Smith presented the recommendations to the Board of Education during its June 24 meeting. The board’s approval ensures continuity in school leadership as the district transitions into the new fiscal and school year. Each appointee brings a combination of classroom experience, advanced education and familiarity with St. Mary’s County schools, which district leaders have said positions them well to contribute immediately.
Margaret Brent Middle School and Spring Ridge Middle School serve distinct communities within St. Mary’s County, and having stable administrative teams helps maintain consistent expectations and support structures for students. The addition of an experienced director in the Title I office is expected to enhance coordination between schools and families, particularly as the district works to address learning recovery and social-emotional needs following recent years of disruption.
St. Mary’s County Public Schools has emphasized building internal leadership capacity in recent years, often promoting educators who already understand the district’s culture and student population. These latest appointments continue that approach by advancing professionals who have demonstrated effectiveness in their current roles.
The new administrators will begin their duties at the start of the 2026-2027 school year. District officials said the changes are part of routine staffing adjustments that occur each spring and summer as the system prepares for enrollment and program needs across its 17 schools.
