Stonington -- The Board of Education has named Stonington Middle School Principal Tim Smith as the new assistant superintendent of schools.

Smith will replace Mary Anne Butler, who has taken over as superintendent for the retiring Van Riley.

Smith's career in the school system began in 1995 whe he was hired to teach English at the high school. In 2014 he was named principal of the the now former Pawcatuck Middle School. When Mystic and Pawcatuck middle schools were consolidated in 2019 to form the new Stonington Middle School, he was named principal.

After the board approved his contract on Thursday, Smith thanked the board for vesting him with the opportunity to serve the district in his new role. He added he was excited to help Butler move the work of the district forward in the coming years.