North Monterey County Unified School District Welcomes New Superintendent Matthew Turkie

The Board of Education for North Monterey County Unified School District (NMUSD), welcomed a new leader into its fold: Superintendent Matthew Turkie, a seasoned educator with a wealth of experience and a fresh vision for the future. The district is located in the heart of California’s Central Coast and has long been a cornerstone of educational excellence in the region, serving a diverse population of over 4,000 students with dedication and passion.

Following an exhaustive nationwide search that attracted 39 exceptional candidates, Matt Turkie steps into the role of superintendent with a distinguished career in education spanning over two decades. His journey began as a secondary math teacher, where he honed his craft and developed a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing students and educators alike. Over the years, Turkie has held various administrative roles: principal, assistant superintendent, and most recently, as senior director at the Monterey County Office of Education.

As Superintendent, Dr. Turkie brings with him a clear vision for the future of North Monterey County Unified School District. Central to his vision is a focus on student-centered learning, where every child is empowered to reach their full potential. Turkie emphasizes the importance of personalized instruction, recognizing that each student comes to the classroom with unique strengths, interests, and needs.

The North Monterey CUSD Board of Education employed Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates (HYA) to guide the search for a new superintendent. HYA Associates Dr. Valerie Pitts and Dr. Alicia Henderson collaborated with the District in the search that resulted in the hiring of Mr. Matthew Turkie. Dr. Pitts shared a few words about NMCUSD’s new leader stating, “Dr. Turkie is an advocate for all students – clearly displaying a passion for ensuring a quality education for students – through specific planning for student success. He also possesses the attributes of a leader that can create strong community, and collaborative climate of trust and belonging. The NMCUSD will thrive with his leadership”.

Board President, Martha Chavvaria shared insight into the hiring process stating, “The Superintendent Search Committee, consisting of 12 community members and all five Board of Trustees, diligently vetted candidates and provided recommendations throughout the process”. She goes on to explain that Dr. Turkie was selected “for his dedication to equity and extensive experience in educational leadership”. Thanks to a transparent selection process over a period of five months and community engagement at its core, NMCUSD is confident that they appointed a new leader who will facilitate growth and evolution in alignment with the district’s values.