Fairfax City Elementary School Principal To Lead Katherine Johnson MS

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Daniels Run Elementary School Principal Chris Smith was named the new principal at Katherine Johnson Middle School on Thursday afternoon, according to a release from the City of Fairfax Schools.

CFS Superintendent Jeff Platenberg and Fairfax County Public Schools Region 5 Assistant Superintendent Rebecca Baenig announced Smith's appointment at a meeting on Thursday with KJMS staff at the school.

Smith will succeed Dr. Tammy Sillipigni, KJMS' current principal, who announced earlier this year that she would retire on July 1.

"This decision was not made lightly, as my time at Daniels Run has been incredibly rewarding and fulfilling," Smith said, in a letter sent to parents on Thursday afternoon. "Over the past six years, I have had the privilege of working alongside an exceptional staff, engaging with our bright and talented students, and forming strong bonds with our supportive families. Your dedication, passion, and commitment to our school community have truly made a lasting impact, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have been part of it."

Prior to becoming the principal at Daniels Run Elementary in 2019, Smith was an assistant principal at Brookfield Elementary in Chantilly and at KJMS, when it was known as Lanier Middle School.

In 1998, Smith began his career in education as a social studies teacher/department chair for FCPS and neighboring district. A graduate of the University of Maryland at College Park, he earned a bachelor of arts in secondary education. He went on to earn a master of education in educational leadership from George Mason University.

"The City of Fairfax welcomes Chris back to Katherine Johnson MS, and is grateful he will remain in our City school community," Platenberg said. "I have had the honor of working with Chris and admire his strong leadership, collaboration, and calm demeanor. I know our students benefit by having him in our City of Fairfax family and look forward to his tenure at KJMS."

Smith told DRES parents the transition to his new role be smooth.

“FCPS Region 5 and the Department of Human Resources are committed to working closely with the DRES community and the City of Fairfax Schools Leadership in the coming weeks," he said. "Their goal is to appoint a new principal who will continue to foster a caring and responsive culture of high expectations for all, ensuring the school's continued success.”

An engagement process involving parents and the community is expected to begin in the coming weeks to choose the next principal for Daniels Run Elementary, according to a CFS spokeswoman.