Dear Editor,

I would like to recommend Mr. Paul Smiley for the Danville City Schools’ Board of Education.  Mr. Smiley has a long history of involvement in education. He began his career in 1973 as a teacher in the District of Columbia.

His career progressed as a teacher and coach at Model Secondary School for the Deaf, which is affiliated with Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. Mr. Smiley came to the Kentucky School for the Deaf (KSD) in Danville in 1979 as the supervising teacher in the Athletic Department and the athletic director. 

During his tenure at KSD (from 1979 until June 2007), he was involved in curriculum, development, served as chairperson for admission and release committee meetings, worked with special needs students, supervised and served as instructor of the driver’s education program, and served as bus driver trainer, transportation director, and facility use coordinator.  From 2002 until 2007, Mr. Smiley was assistant principal at KSD. He served in this role during my tenure at KSD as the principal. In this role, he dealt with discipline and safety, and maintained his duties as athletic director. He was a great asset to me as principal. He was always willing to assume any role that was requested of him. 

In addition to his experience in education, Mr. Smiley has been very involved in community service. Some of his community involvement includes: chairman for the Ethics Board for the City of Danville, Danville/Boyle County Literacy Council, Wilderness Trace YMCA board, Montessori School Board, Central Kentucky Red Cross board, and Danville City School Board for 13 years and served as vice-chairman of the board for six years. In addition, Mr. Smiley is a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church, where he serves as a Sunday School class teacher.

Mr. Smiley has received numerous awards for his accomplishments, including the Kentucky High School Athletic Association 12th Region Hall of Fame, Mason Dixon Football Coach of the Year, Outstanding Service as a City Commissioner, and Butler, Pennsylvania Hometown Hero for coaching at Gallaudet and KSD.

Mr. Smiley is family-oriented and has raised three successful sons, Owen, Kevin, and Eric, who all attended Danville Schools. He has been married to his wife, Pat for 45 years. Mr. Smiley brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this position. Please consider electing him to serve the Danville City Schools as a school board member.

Jacqueline Day

Danville