Dr. Matthew Montgomery

Superintendent of Schools K-12

As the Superintendent of Lake Forest Community High School District 115 and Lake Forest Elementary School District 67, Dr. Matthew L. Montgomery is responsible for the effective operation of both districts. Serving as the chief executive officer, Dr. Montgomery reports directly to the Boards of Education. His responsibilities encompass the administration and management of the schools, educational programs, fiscal affairs, and personnel matters, adhering to the policies and directives of the Board of Education as well as state and federal regulations.

Dr. Montgomery's educational journey began at Canfield Local School District in Canfield, Ohio, where he served as a high school science teacher. He then advanced to the roles of principal at Waterloo Middle School and Waterloo High School. In July 2013, he was appointed Superintendent of Waterloo Local School District, focusing on enhancing STEM curriculum. His achievements at Waterloo led him to Revere Local School District in Bath, Ohio, in July 2015. As Superintendent, he developed a comprehensive five-year strategic plan, fostered community engagement through the “Vision of a Minuteman” initiative, managed over $70 million in capital improvements, and significantly improved the district's performance index on Ohio's School Report Card. In July 2021, Dr. Montgomery brought his expertise to the Chicagoland area, leading Lake Forest School District 67 and Lake Forest Community High School District 115. His notable contributions include supporting the development of the Portrait of a Learner, formulating new strategic plans and metrics, and spearheading a successful $105.7 million referendum.

An advocate of continuous learning and leadership in education, Dr. Montgomery participates actively in various professional associations. He is the Lead Superintendent for Cohort and Partner Connections with the School Superintendents Association (AASA) and Co-Chair of the AASA STEM Leadership Consortium. He also contributes to the National Superintendents Roundtable, EdLeader 21, the Mid-American Association of School Superintendents, the Superintendent Collaborative, and serves on the Superintendent Advisory Board of JASON Learning. Moreover, Dr. Montgomery shares his expertise as an instructor in the Department of Leadership and Administration at the American College of Education, where he facilitates graduate-level professional coursework.

Apart from his professional pursuits, Dr. Montgomery is an avid reader and author, maintaining a blog titled 'Basics of Leadership.' Residing in Lake Forest with his wife, Blayna, and their four children, Elizabeth, Jacquelyn, Everett, and Avery, he enjoys running, exploring diverse music genres, reading, and cherishing time with his family.

Education

Ph.D. in Educational Administration, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio
Master of Education, Educational Administration, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio
Bachelor of Science, Education, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio