Board approves personnel exhibit including Dr. Matthew Recker as chief academic officer and safety officer; one member objects to combined role

The Worcester County Board of Education on Tuesday approved the personnel exhibit for May, which included the appointment of Dr. Matthew Recker to an executive role as Chief Academic Officer and Safety Officer.

Superintendent Robert Taylor introduced Dr. Recker, praised his leadership record and noted Recker’s experience in multiple schools. Dr. Recker was in the meeting with family members present. Taylor described Recker as a long‑time district leader who had been assigned to several schools to address operational needs.

Board member John Schneck moved approval of the personnel exhibit; Ms. McComas seconded. The exhibit passed in open session. After the vote, board member Michael Gordy stated he voted against the personnel exhibit—not because of any individual appointment but because, he said, law enforcement had requested separating the chief-safety-officer role from the assistant-superintendent/chief-academic role and he did not believe that separation had been fully explored during the hiring process. Gordy said he could not support combining the safety role with an instructional executive role and urged the board to consider the law-enforcement feedback.

Superintendent Taylor acknowledged Gordy’s concern, welcomed Dr. Recker to the executive team and asked the board to support the appointment; the motion had carried and the personnel exhibit stands approved.

The personnel exhibit also listed multiple hires, retirements and separations across the district (teachers, secretaries, therapists, custodial and maintenance staff) presented for the board’s approval as part of the routine personnel exhibit.