Administration
Dr. Brian SmithDr. Smith was appointed as superintendent of Valparaiso Community Schools in June 2026. He brings more than 30 years of experience as a public school educator to Valparaiso Community Schools, having begun as a teacher and principal in Fort Wayne Community Schools, later as Superintendent of North Newton School Corporation, and then as Superintendent of the School Town of Highland. Dr. Smith received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from Indiana University. He went on to earn his Education Specialist (Superintendent License) from Ball State and completed his doctoral work in Educational Leadership at Indiana Wesleyan University.
In addition to his career as an educator, Dr. Smith currently serves his fourth term as President of the Northwest Indiana Public School Study Council, a regional consortium where school districts collaborate to address shared educational issues, conduct research, share best practices, and advocate for strong public schools. For the past eight years, he has also served as the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents Region 1 Legislative Representative. He previously served as President of the Northwest Indiana Superintendents Association. He and his wife, Sallie, have been married for 32 years and have two daughters.
Dr. Allison began his education career as a math teacher in the East Porter County School Corporation before becoming a math teacher at Valparaiso High School in 2013. He has served as the VHS math department chair and has coached athletic and academic teams at VHS including boys basketball, boys tennis, and academic superbowl. Dr. Allison transitioned to administration when he became the Assistant Principal at Valparaiso High School in 2016. He was named Director of Secondary Education in July 2018 and then Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education in December 2020. Dr. Allison graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Architecture and Science. He also earned a Master’s Degree in Curriculum, an Education Specialist Degree, and his Doctorate in Education from Indiana Wesleyan University. He and his wife, Serena, reside in Valparaiso with their four children, Lena, Josiah, Analiese, and Elijah.
Dr. Barbknecht joined Valparaiso Community Schools as Director of Grants and Testing in 2019 after serving as an administrator in East Porter County School Corporation and Duneland School Corporation. She served as the Interim Superintendent for Duneland School Corporation in 2018. In addition to these educational roles, she also served as a general education and special education elementary teacher. She was named the Director of Elementary Education in the summer of 2020 then Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education in December 2020. Dr. Barbknecht has earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Special Education, Master’s of Arts in Educational Administration and Supervision, an Education Specialist Degree, and Doctorate in Education from Ball State University. Dr. Barbknecht graduated from Valparaiso High School in 1993 and has remained a northwest Indiana resident with her three children; Lexi, Ella, and Jaxson.
Dr. Erin Hawkins joined the Valparaiso Community Schools team in the Fall of 2001. She has spent her career as an interventionist, special education teacher, elementary teacher, school principal, and district administrator. In 2023, she began her current role as the district’s Assistant Superintendent for Support Services. Dr. Hawkins holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Special Education, a Master’s Degree in Education Administration, and an Education Specialist Degree in Education Administration from Ball State University. She earned a Doctor of Education degree from Ball State University in 2020.
Dr. Hawkins and her husband, Joel, live in Valparaiso. Their two sons, Isaac and Liam, are both graduates of Valparaiso Community Schools.
Mr. Holifield joined Valparaiso Community Schools as Chief Financial Officer in the Summer of 2022. He has spent his thirty-plus years in Education as a science teacher, coach, middle school principal, and Director of Finance. Mr. Holifield received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Secondary Education/Administration from Indiana University; he also earned his MBA from Purdue University in 2008. He is a lifelong resident of northwest Indiana and resides with his wife, Kim, who is also an educator of thirty-plus years. They have four children: Chris, Katie, Rachael, and Alayna.