(MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ) -- The Middlesex County Vocational and Technical Schools (MCVTS) Board of Education has selected Jorge E. Diaz as the new superintendent of schools. Diaz is scheduled to take over the superintendent position on April 1, 2022.
An educator for more than two decades, Diaz has served as the superintendent of schools for the South Amboy School District for the past five years.
“Middlesex County Vocational and Technical Schools was the first full-time county vocational school system in the country, and over the years, it has developed a reputation for providing an excellent education to high school, adult, and special needs students,” said Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners Director Ronald G. Rios. “Leading a public school district that serves such a diverse population and offers the broad range of educational opportunities available at MCVTS is no small task, but I believe Jorge E. Diaz is up to the challenge. We, in Middlesex County, are proud of the many assets our county has at our disposal, and Mr. Diaz is a reflection of that. On behalf of the entire Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners, I offer my sincere congratulations to Mr. Diaz and commend the MCVTS Board of Education on a successful superintendent search. We look forward to continuing to work together on behalf of MCVTS students.”
“A solid education is the foundation for future success in any endeavor, and we are committed to supporting Middlesex County Vocational and Technical Schools in their mission to provide a stellar education to county residents,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Chanelle Scott McCullum, chair of the community advisory committee which assisted the Board of Education in the search process. “The selection of Jorge E. Diaz as superintendent of schools for MCVTS will ensure the district has a strong and compassionate leader at the helm who is prepared to handle the myriad challenges of 21st century education.”
“We are pleased to announce that Jorge E. Diaz has accepted the role of superintendent of schools for MCVTS,” said Keith Jones II, President of the MCVTS Board of Education. “Finding the right person to lead this unique school district and to execute on the Board’s vision for the future was not easy, but Mr. Diaz’s unique skills and extensive background in educational administration and teaching makes him the right leader for our students, parents, and entire school community.”
“I am honored to accept the position of Superintendent of Schools for MCVTS,” said Jorge E. Diaz. “I look forward to applying the experience and expertise acquired throughout my more than 20 years in education – as a superintendent, an administrator, and a classroom teacher – to this new role. More importantly, I’m excited for the opportunity to work with leaders throughout the county, higher education, and the private sector to enact my vision of rebranding the MCVTS and its curriculum to better prepare students for the evolving workforce. Thank you to Middlesex County and the MCVTS Board of Education for entrusting me with this responsibility.”
Diaz began his career in education in 1999 as a technology specialist and teacher for the Union City Board of Education in Union City, New Jersey. During his eight years with the Union City School District, Diaz taught sixth, seventh, and eight grade students; was a member of the School Technology Task Force and Budget Task Force; served as an advisor for afterschool programs; and coached the high school varsity wrestling team. He then spent 10 years as a high school and elementary school principal in New Brunswick before accepting the role of superintendent of schools for South Amboy Public Schools in January 2017.
As superintendent in South Amboy, Diaz created new special education programs, providing in-house services so that students would not need to travel out of the district to receive special education programming. Diaz also spearheaded a 1:1 Chromebook initiative, obtaining pilot funding from the City of South Amboy to provide Chromebooks for every student in the district.
Diaz earned a Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership from Kean University in 2006 and a Bachelor of Science degree from Rutgers University in 1995. A resident of Carteret, Diaz has been a member of the Carteret Bourgh Council since January 2004, where he serves as Chair of Finance and Administration. Diaz is also involved in his local community, serving on the Executive Committee of the Perth Amboy Area Branch of the NAACP, and as Vice President of the Board of Trustees for the Carteret Library.
The MCVTS Board of Education appointed Robert P. Mooney as interim superintendent of schools in August 2021. With six schools located on five campuses throughout Middlesex County, MCVTS serves approximately 2,200 high school students and roughly 400 adult students annually. The district has an annual operating budget of more than $50 million.
Middlesex County is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies, three universities, 19 park systems, and world-class healthcare and research facilities making it one of the nation’s most dynamic regions and a leader in technology, transportation, the arts, and food innovation. As one of the most diverse populations in the country, Middlesex County is home to over 832,000 residents living throughout 25 municipalities. Ranked #1 in the state for best schools, the County offers an award-winning vocational school system, a county college, and workforce development creating a unique ecosystem in which opportunities abound. Conveniently located between New York and Philadelphia, Middlesex County is a leading destination for businesses and residents alike to live, work, and play – and has been since the 17th century.
