Douglas “Bo” Smith

Mr. Douglas “Bo” Smith officially began serving as the new Superintendent of Schools in Smackover-Norphlet School District on July 1, 2024.

Prior to coming to Smackover-Norphlet, Mr. Smith had served as a teacher, coach and administrator at Camden-Fairview School District and then Parkers Chapel, where he has served as high school principal the last four years. Mr. Smith is a graduate of Southern Arkansas University, where he received his bachelors and masters in Education as well as a Superintendent Certification.

“Education is a calling, and the pure joy I receive from seeing a young adult achieve success and learn how to be a great person is impossible to describe,” said Mr. Smith. “Being an educator is a true honor, and I am thankful to be in this great business. I am now honored and blessed to serve the community of Smackover-Norphlet as your superintendent.”

A native of Camden, Mr. Smith is a graduate of Camden Fairview High School. He went on to graduate and play baseball at SAU before returning to Camden as a teacher, assistant baseball coach, and junior high football coach to begin his career in education.

After one season at Fairview, Mr. Smith was named head baseball coach at his alma mater, where he served for the next 10 years. He also continued to serve as an assistant football coach, eventually becoming the high school defensive coordinator.

“During my time of coaching, I was blessed to win a state championship in football, and coach numerous athletes that attended college for baseball and football,” Mr. Smith said. “I also had the honor of coaching a young man who went on to play baseball professionally. Coaching was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life, and I cannot thank the athletes enough for allowing me to be a part of their lives.”

During his years as a coach, Mr. Smith also taught Health, P.E., Physical Science, and 8th Grade Science. He began his career in administration by serving as the Dean of Students at CF Middle School for two years before moving into the same role at CFHS. He was Dean of Students at the high school for five years before going back to the middle school as an assistant principal. 

After three years as assistant principal, Mr. Smith got out of coaching entirely except for serving as a sponsor for the junior and senior high shooting sports teams.

After 14 years serving in many capacities at Camden Fairview, Mr. Smith moved on to Parkers Chapel as principal at Parkers Chapel High School, where he has served the last four years. 

“Like coaching, administration has given me opportunities to impact lives and prepare young adults for their futures,” Mr. Smith said. “My personal motto is ‘we don’t have to, we get to.’ I can’t take credit for this, as I stole it from Nick Saban when he was talking about his culture at Alabama. We as educators get the opportunity to impact a life for the better every single day. We here at Smackover-Norphlet get to make our students great, our school great, and our community great. What an honor to hold that responsibility, and we will fulfill that responsibility!”

Doug and his wife, Kimberly, will be joined in Smackover-Norphlet by their three daughters: Katherine (an incoming senior), Allie (incoming eighth-grader), and Cora, who will be in the third grade. Kimberly Smith, a career educator as well, taught at CF as a second- and third grade teacher, and also taught second grade and fourth grade at Parkers Chapel. She will be joining the faculty at Smackover Elementary as a second grade teacher this year.

Katherine Smith has been on the cheer team, and has plans to attend the University of Arkansas upon graduation from Smackover-Norphlet. Allie is also on the cheer team, volleyball team, and plays softball year-round. Cora has plans to one day join her sisters as cheerleaders and is excited to begin her career as a Buckaroo this fall.

“We are blessed to have all three of our daughters joining us here at Smackover-Norphlet,” Mr. Smith said. “We are extremely proud of their sacrifices to move schools, especially my senior, Katherine.”

“There are not enough words to express how thankful I am to serve this community as superintendent,” said Smith. “Thank you to this community, this school, and the school board who have given me this opportunity. I do not take it lightly and I will bring the best version of myself every single day. Together we will move mountains and make today’s impossible, tomorrow’s reality!”

Related Links of Interest

• SNSD Organizational Chart