Class of 1991’s Bert Smith ending career December 1
WAYCROSS – Ware County Board of Education Superintendent and Brantley County High School alum Bert Smith has announced his retirement effective December 1, 2024.
Smith reflected on his time in education, especially the last half of his career spent in Ware County.
A 1991 BCHS graduate, Smith attended Waycross College and then Valdosta State University. He started teaching at Bacon County High School in 1996 transferring to Brantley County High School the following year. He taught math at both schools.
In 2006, Smith was promoted to assistant principal while earning his EdS (Education Specialist). He was appointed assistant principal at Ware County High School in 2008.
Smith spent one year as principal at Brantley County High School before being named principal at Williams Heights Elementary School in the Ware County School System. In 2015, he became principal at Ware County High School.
Smith was named Superintendent of Ware County Schools in May 2019. His 28-year career will come to an end on December 1.
“I hope that I will be leaving the system in a better place than when I came here,” said Smith. “The succession plan we have initiated to train teachers in taking leadership and administrative roles was designed to have teachers ready to fill positions whenever they arose, sometimes without much notice.”
Smith said Ware County is the only district in RESA that gives its teachers and staff retention bonuses.
“We strategically used ESSER Funds (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) during the COVID years to hire extra support teachers, purchase equipment for fine arts, and many other projects,” he said.
The building programs are another source of pride for the retiring boss.
“We’re building a new Waycross Middle School,” said Smith. “When we started the process, we thought it would take $30 million to build it. Last week, we were told it will cost $49 million. That’s a challenge. The state will pay about $5 million dollars.”
The ESPLOST brings in about $780,000 per month, or $9.36 million per year, so in five years it should be paid for. Groundbreaking should take place the first week of October and be completed by the fall of 2026.
The new all-purpose outdoor facility at the high school is being put to use.
“It truly is multi-purpose,” Smith said. “The other day, I saw the football team and softball teams practicing together, safely. That was pretty cool. It’s an impressive facility.
“Football does utilize it, but it’s also for soccer, it’s even lined for lacrosse, if we ever get a lacrosse team. Baseball, band, cheerleaders, track and field, all of them have a place to practice in wet weather conditions.”
Smith mentioned that the new state-of-the-art rifle facility is a very nice addition to the system, as well as the new Ag facility. “I didn’t start that, but I was the principal during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.”
Smith has several fond memories of Ware County sports, but the biggest was supplied by son.
“Seeing my son win the individual state golf championship was pretty special,” he said.
He thank the members of the Ware County Board of Education for giving him the opportunity to be superintendent.
“I am thankful for the board members, entrusting me, who took a chance on me, not having prior experience as a superintendent,” said Smith. “I also want to thank my family ... they sacrificed a lot.”
He is now looking forward to December 1 to begin the next chapter in his book of life.
