Scott school board picks next superintendent

GATE CITY – Jason Smith will be the next Scott County Schools Superintendent on July 1, 2026. The board emerged from an 89-minute closed session for personnel and legal matters when School Board Chair David Templeton moved to appoint Smith – the assistant superintendent – as current Superintendent John Ferguson's replacement. The board voted unanimously to approve Smith. Ferguson, who has served as superintendent since 2011, submitted to the board in November his letter of retirement effective June 30. "I'm tickled to death," Ferguson said after the vote. "He's well deserving of the job and I appreciate what he has done for me, the school division and, more importantly, our children in Scott County." Before joining the central office staff, Smith served as principal at Gate City Middle School, assistant principal and principal at Weber City Elementary School, assistant testing director for the division and third grade teacher at Yuma Elementary School. Smith began his teaching career as a third grade teacher in the Franklin County, Virginia school system. "We've had some experiences, to say the least, and it's always worked out for the best," Ferguson said, adding that Smith has served as director of personnel and assistant superintendent for his whole term. "He's a great mentor," Smith said of Ferguson. On retirement, Ferguson will have completed a 35-year education career. "The school board has been good to me, the folks have been outstanding and the central office second to none," said Ferguson. "I'm very grateful for that."