Dennis M. Smith, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District

Dennis Smith has been an educator for 32 years and has spent the past 20 years serving as superintendent in five uniquely different school districts: Laguna Beach Unified, Cajon Valley Union, Irvine Unified, Orange County Public Schools in Orlando, Florida and currently as superintendent of the Placentia-Yorba Linda School District.

He was named one of the top 100 educators in North America and is highly respected and sought throughout the educational community. He is an effective communicator who is very visible in the community and demonstrates the interpersonal skills so necessary in helping to guide a school district toward consistent growth and improvement.

In 2004, Dr. Smith was named Orange County Superintendent of the Year, an honor awarded by the Association of School Administrators, Region 17.

As Superintendent, he has established a reputation of focusing on student learning and achievement which results in schools demonstrating consistent academic gains. He is a staunch supporter of strategic planning and believes strongly that it is essential to the success of any progressive school district.
Dennis is a leader known to mobilize the vast resources available to a school district in reaching board goals and successfully increasing public support and confidence in public education. This is most clearly evidenced by the successful passage of the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District's $102 million school bond measure by the widest margin of any Orange County school bond in the March 2002 election.

In addition, Dr. Smith and the school board are not afraid to stand up for children. He and the Board spearheaded a successful effort to ensure that $247 million in school facilities funding from the local Redevelopment Agency are paid. The funding would provide much needed modernization of existing schools and the construction of new schools, including a long sought and the first-ever high school in Yorba Linda.

Dr. Smith earned his Bachelor's Degree from Arizona State University, as well as his Master's Degree. His Doctoral Degree in Educational Administration was earned at the University of Arizona.