Matthew Ray began serving as the superintendent of Omaha Public Schools in July 2024.

Mr. Ray has been with our district for 28 years, most recently as interim superintendent for the 2023-24 school year. Throughout his career at Omaha Public Schools, Mr. Ray has served in key positions to support our young people and our staff.

He began his career as a student teacher at Ashland Park-Robbins Elementary. Mr. Ray was a district-wide substitute teacher before returning to Ashland Park-Robbins to teach fifth grade. After teaching, he served in various roles in Student and Community Services before becoming executive director of the department.

Mr. Ray became board secretary in 2013. In 2018, he became chief of staff, a role which transitioned into the deputy superintendent.

Mr. Ray was central in creating and adopting Omaha Public Schools current Strategic Plan of Action in 2020. The plan guides our district through 2025 and beyond. With extensive stakeholder input, it established shared organizational values and created a future-focused vision.

Mr. Ray’s leadership will continue our districtwide focus on four strategic priorities: academics, staff, financial accountability and our ethic of care. He is committed to engaging with staff, families, and our community as he serves in this role throughout the superintendent search process.

Mr. Ray earned two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Nebraska Omaha, one in Criminal Justice and a second in Elementary Education. He earned a Master of Science in Educational Administration from UNO in 2000, and his Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 2020. Mr. Ray and his wife are the parents of three Omaha Public Schools graduates.

“Omaha Public Schools offers unmatched opportunities for students. I’ve seen it as a career-long staff member and parent,” said Mr. Ray. “I’m honored and humbled to carry forward our daily service and Strategic Plan of Action. We know the work ahead of us, and we’re ready.”