Matthew was elected to the Board of Education in April of 2019 and re-elected in 2023. He comes to District 204 with vast educational experience, having graduated from Eastern Illinois University with an undergraduate degree in Special Education and Governors State University with a master’s degree in Educational Administration. Matthew was a former employee of District 204 from 2011-2018, working as a Special Education teacher in the AVAC Program at Central Campus. During that time he founded and ran the Special Olympics program with AVAC/Transition Center staff, assisted with the annual Kermes, and coached football, basketball, and track. Matthew currently serves as the Dean of Students at Chaney-Monge School District 88 in Crest Hill.

Matthew is the husband to Brenda Kennedy and they have three children, Robbie, a Central graduate from the Class of 2016; Logan; and Christian a Central graduate from the Class of 2019.

As a Board of Education member, Matthew’s goals are to ensure the execution of the district’s Strategic Plan, to be an advocate for all students of the district, to ensure that policies continue to reflect the mission and vision of the district, and to help provide students with a multitude of quality programs while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Matthew believes that a city is only as strong as the education it provides to its youth. He believes the students of District 204 are outstanding, and he will continue to help advocate and serve the students in his role as a Board Member to ensure a more prosperous Joliet for generations to come.