'Welcome home': Perry alum Matthew Rodriguez to return as assistant superintendent
PERRY TWP. – Perry grad Matt Rodriguez is returning to his alma mater to take on the No. 2 administrative spot in the district.
At a special meeting Friday morning, the Perry Local School Board approved Rodriguez as the district's new assistant superintendent.
He replaces Rich Leone, who is leaving the district to pursue an opportunity outside of education. Leone joined the district in 2021, taking the lead administrative role at the high school. A year later he was named assistant superintendent. The board approved his resignation effective May 31.
Rodriguez, a 1993 graduate, will take over for Leone on Aug. 1.
He is finishing the school year as principal at Chippewa Junior and Senior High School in Wayne County. He has served in that capacity for the last nine years. Rodriguez also has served as curriculum director for grades 7-12 since 2013.
Previously, he was the principal at Hazel Harvey in Chippewa and the principal at Malvern Elementary School. He began his career teaching elementary students in Brown Local. Rodriguez also served as Malvern High School's basketball coach for three years.
"My education has come full circle," the father of three said. "It's a great time to be at the district. It's exactly where I want to be."
Meet Matt Rodriguez, Perry Local's new assistant superindentent
Several familiar faces welcomed Rodriguez, including board member Nate Van Wey.
"Welcome home," Van Wey, his former teacher, said after the board approved his employment.
Rodriguez also had board member Florence Tuesdale at Perry. Board member Mike Shreffler was Rodriguez's instructor at Ashland University during his administrative training.
"I am humbled and extremely excited for the opportunity that awaits at Perry Local Schools. I am so fortunate and thrilled to return to the place where my educational experience began," Rodriguez said.
He started his educational journey at Genoa Elementary School about 43 years ago, he joked.
Rodriguez and his wife, Lisa, who live in Rittman, have three children: Annabel, a freshman at Malone University; daughter, Mia, a junior at Chippewa; and son Alex, also a junior at Chippewa. The younger children attend Wayne County Career Center.
The board gave Rodriguez a three-year contract. The terms will be negotiated with the board president.
"We are extremely pleased to welcome Matt Rodriguez to our leadership team and back to Perry," Superintendent Nate Stutz said. "Given his diverse experiences and successes within education, as well as his strong desire to serve students and staff, Matt will be a tremendous asset to our district and community."
Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com.
This article originally appeared on The Independent: Perry Board of Education OKs hiring 1993 grad Matthew Rodriguez
