PRESCOTT — After a handful of years away, working in the School District of River Falls, Matt Smith is coming back to Prescott in the role of activities director.

Smith grew up in Prescott, eventually going on to work in the school district in roles including teacher’s aide, teaching, coaching and was hired as the activities director and assistant principal for four years starting in 2017. Smith has spent the last three years working in River Falls, but the relationships built over the years brought the urge to come back. Smith said his family did not move during the stint at River Falls, so he has remained a part of the community the whole way.

“I’m big with relationships, and kind of building those with people,” Smith said. “We didn’t move, my kids go here, my wife works here.”

Smith said the Prescott community can expect transparency and hard work to maintain the strengths of the town’s activities.

“Our athletic programs are obviously in a good place across the board,” Smith said. “Also with our arts and our activities, also growing them and showcasing them. For an opportunity for them to be in the spotlight a little bit more and showcase what they can do.”

Whether it is in the form of a musical, basketball team or any other extracurricular, Smith wants students to have the experience of working with others.

“Build self-confidence, be a part of a team,” Smith said. “Building life-long skills that you can’t always get in the classroom.”

Reflecting on his previous stint in Prescott, Smith aims to find a better work-life balance to spend time with his wife and four kids.

“The position has changed a little bit since I left,” Smith said. “There’s a little more flexibility with that. So that was really a strong draw to bring me back.”

Smith also said he feels more comfortable with decision making with more experience this time around.

Starting off, Smith is looking to reach out to many of the teachers, coaches and extra-curricular leaders in the district to get reacquainted with the role. While Smith is transitioning into the role, he recognized that the leaders of these extracurriculars are also facing a transition to a new activities director which can be difficult.

“Kind of that servant leadership type approach,” Smith said. “How can I make things easier on their end?

“We’re all in this together,” Smith said. “That collaboration piece is going to be a very important one, and vital for our success.”