After a nationwide search, the Board of Education at Muskegon Public Schools have named the district’s next Superintendent, as Matthew Cortez will begin this fall. Cortez comes from across the state where he currently has served as Superintendent of the Essexville-Hampton Public Schools near Saginaw Bay since 2014.
The youngest of eight children, Cortez says his own education provided him the tools necessary to be a success, and he wants that same experience for Muskegon students.
“When I look at Muskegon, I want children to have the same opportunity that I had, that you can pick what you want in life,” Cortez said. “The students have a life changing experience from the education they get from our school system. And that is my ultimate goal.”
Cortez won the job after a nationwide search produced five finalists for the job. Board President Cindy Larson says his answers and experience made Cortez a perfect fit for the district.
“His heart is in it,” Larson said. “He said in his first interview, a couple of times, that ‘I feel so strongly, Muskegon is on the verge of greatness.”
Contract negotiations are still pending, however, Cortez is expected to be in place by the time the school year begins this fall.