Media Contacts:
Dan O'Brien, WPS Chief Communications Officer
Eliana Agudelo, Chief of Staff for Mayor Joseph Petty
WORCESTER — Thursday, May 1, 2025 — The Worcester School Committee voted 8-1 on Thursday, May 1, to appoint Brian Allen as the next Superintendent of the Worcester Public Schools. Mayor Joseph M. Petty, who chairs the School Committee, made the motion to appoint Allen as Superintendent for a three-year contract effective July 1 pending contract negotiations.
Allen is currently the Deputy Superintendent, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Operations Officer. A Worcester native and graduate of South High Community School, Allen has worked for the City of Worcester for 32 years, with the past 27 years as an administrator at WPS.
"I really believe this vote is about the wellness of the district," Petty said. "I've done a number of these searches in the past and there is no right or wrong way to do it. I think our successor has to believe in the systems that have been put in place by our current superintendent. If we really believe in the work the superintendent has done, we need someone who has been involved in shaping the school district for the past three years. In my opinion that person would be Deputy Superintendent Brian Allen."
“I am honored and humbled to be selected as the next Superintendent of the Worcester Public Schools,” Allen said. “As someone who grew up here and has spent my entire career in Worcester, I will lead the district forward through our continued commitment to our values outlined in the strategic plan. I care deeply about the outcomes of our students, staff and families, and will take a collaborative approach to continue our shared success.”
The current superintendent of WPS, Dr. Rachel H. Monárrez, announced she will resign from her role in June after serving for three years. Monárrez has been selected as Superintendent of the Orange Unified School District in her home state of California.
“I fully support Brian Allen to become the next Superintendent of the Worcester Public Schools,” Dr. Monárrez said. “Mr. Allen is a phenomenal leader with a strong track record of success. As my Deputy Superintendent, he expanded his highly effective work in finance and operations into broader strategic planning that brings oversight into all aspects of the district. His commitment, dedication, and knowledge of the district is unmatched and I am fully confident he will carry forward the district’s current positive trajectory.”
During the meeting, more than 20 community members spoke in favor of selecting an interim candidate for superintendent, with many calling out Mr. Allen by name, to continue the positive changes that have taken place under the leadership of Dr. Monárrez. Many cited a more welcoming and inclusive environment for families and stronger internal structures leading to better student outcomes.
In his current position, Allen oversees the Finance, Accounts Payable, Grants Management, Facilities, Transportation, Safety, Nutrition and Information Technology departments in WPS. Over the past three years, Allen has chaired the district’s Strategic Planning Committee, Safety Committee, and developed the district’s first Equity Based Budget Process.
In a recent interview on Dr. Monárrez’s “Ask the Superintendent” podcast, Allen said his three biggest accomplishments at WPS have been successfully advocating for greater funding through the state’s Student Opportunity Act, bringing the WPS transportation operations in-house, and the Finance Department receiving the “Meritorious Budget Award” for 12 years in a row.
Allen joins the ranks of several current superintendent and school agency leaders in Massachusetts with a finance and operations background, including the incoming Commissioner of Education for the Commonwealth.
Allen has worked for the City of Worcester since 1994, beginning as a Budget Analyst for the City. He later worked as Budget Manager for Worcester Vocational High School, then, in 1999, as Assistant Business Manager for Worcester Public Schools. He became Business Manager in 2002, Chief Financial Officer in 2006, Chief Financial and Operations Officer in 2009, and was promoted to Deputy Superintendent in 2022 by Dr. Monárrez.
Allen has taught graduate-level school finance and operations courses at Worcester State University as an adjunct faculty member since 2002. He is the Past President of the Massachusetts Association of School Business Officials. He has been recognized for his contributions to school finance and operations by several state and national associations. He has a Master of Public Administration degree from Suffolk University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Clark University.