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The Ephraim Curtis Middle School auditorium has formally been named the Dr. William Smith Auditorium after a vote of the Sudbury Public Schools School Committee on December 18.
The committee voted in favor of a recommendation from Superintendent Brad Crozier to name the auditorium after Dr. William “Smitty” Smith, who served as principal of Curtis Middle School earlier in his career.
A memo from Crozier stated “Dr. Smith served as Principal of Curtis Middle School from 1978 to 1983 and was the first and only Black principal in Sudbury Public Schools. His leadership, educational vision, and deep commitment to students and staff left a lasting impact on the school community.”
Crozier cited Smith’s contributions not just as a principal, but as a longstanding member of the Sudbury community and for his service to his country. “Beyond Curtis, Dr. Smith devoted more than 50 years to the Sudbury community. He was a founder of Race Amity Day in Sudbury, a member of the Human Rights Council, a youth sports coach, a town board member, and a nationally recognized educator, military veteran, and civil rights leader.” More information about Dr. Smith’s life and accomplishments can be found on the Race Amity website here.
Smith’s children were present to provide comment, including a reading of a poem written by one of Smith’s students at Curtis Middle School when he was moving on to the next chapter in his illustrious career.
[Feature image: rendering from SPS School Committee packet.]