The Worcester School Committee recently selected Brian Allen as the newest Superintendent of the Worcester Public Schools. WEC is excited to work with Mr. Allen to support the students of this district.
To help the public become more familiar with Mr. Allen, we asked him to submit answers to a series of questions. His answers are below.
1. What do you think are the most important roles of the Superintendent?
As Superintendent, my primary responsibility is to provide visionary leadership that supports the academic success and well-being of every student in our district. This means setting a clear and ambitious strategic direction, ensuring that our schools have the resources and support they need, and fostering an environment where teachers and staff can thrive.
The Superintendent must act as a bridge between the school community and the broader public, engaging with families, educators, local leaders, and stakeholders to build trust and shared commitment to student achievement. It’s also critical to make decisions that prioritize equity and access, so all students have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Finally, the Superintendent serves as the chief advocate for the district, championing policies and initiatives that improve educational outcomes, embracing innovation, and ensuring that we continuously improve to meet the evolving needs of our students and community.
2. As you think about your first 100 days, what will be at the top of your “to do” list?
I envision that the first 100 days will include:
o Phase 1: Listen, learn, and assess: establish visibility as Superintendent, listen actively to diverse stakeholder groups, and assess district priorities, challenges, and opportunities from a new leadership perspective.
o Phase 2: Strategize and align: develop or refine strategic priorities based on insights gathered, align leadership team and resources to support district goals, and build broader community partnerships.
o Phase 3: Implement and monitor: begin implementing key initiatives aligned with strategic priorities, monitor progress with data-driven decision making, and continue building trust and transparency.
3. How will you engage families and community organizations in the work of the schools?
Engaging families and community organizations is essential to creating a strong, supportive environment for our students. I believe schools thrive when there’s a genuine partnership between educators, families, and community stakeholders. This is a key priority of the district’s strategic plan.
My approach will be to foster open, consistent communication that respects and values the voices of families and community members. This means not only sharing information but also actively listening to their insights, concerns, and ideas. I want to ensure that families feel welcomed and empowered to participate in their children’s education.
In addition, I plan to strengthen collaboration with community organizations to leverage their resources and expertise, creating programs and opportunities that enrich student learning and support their social and emotional development. Together, we can build a network that supports every student’s success and helps us address challenges collectively
4. Please discuss your commitment to the district’s strategic plan and the role that it will play.
My commitment to the Worcester Public Schools’ strategic plan is unwavering. Having had the honor to chair the district’s strategic planning committee, I’ve been deeply involved in shaping the Aims and KPIs that guide our work. This plan reflects shared priorities from many stakeholders, focusing on equity, family and community engagement, culture and climate, acquiring and retaining talent, health and wellness, and modernized and safe facilities.
As Superintendent, I will ensure that the strategic plan remains at the center of every decision we make. It serves as our roadmap to align efforts across schools and departments, measure progress, and hold ourselves accountable to the community. I am dedicated to maintaining transparency and regularly communicating updates on our progress toward these goals.
Moreover, the strategic plan will guide us in adapting to new challenges and opportunities, always with the needs of our students as the highest priority. By staying true to this plan, we can continue to build a strong, equitable district where every student is supported to succeed.
5. Given the absence of teaching experience on your resume, some have questioned your ability to be effective in this role. How would you respond?
The role of the Superintendent is to provide the conditions that enable educators to deliver the most successful outcomes for students, and ensure the infrastructure to support those conditions is solid. Although I do not have direct K-12 teaching experience, I have served in various leadership roles within the Worcester Public Schools for over 30 years, most recently as Deputy Superintendent. I have a deep understanding of the state of our district, encompassing academic outcomes at schools and the operational functioning of various departments. Without a doubt, I know how our schools operate and what our students and educators need to succeed.
Throughout my career, I have worked closely with school and district staff to develop systems and strategies that improve student outcomes. I have been directly involved in strategic planning, operational leadership, and resource management—all critical elements that support effective teaching and learning environments.
I am committed to listening to and partnering with our educators, families, and students to ensure their voices guide our work. Leadership is about bringing together diverse perspectives and aligning resources and priorities toward a shared vision. I believe my experience equips me well to do just that and to lead Worcester Public Schools forward with a focus on equity, excellence, and opportunity for every student
6. Given that you don’t currently reside in Worcester, please talk about your understanding or and relationship to the community.
I grew up in Worcester and am a proud graduate of the Worcester Public Schools. For the vast majority of my life, I have lived in Worcester or a bordering community. My three decades of dedicated service in Worcester have given me a profound understanding of this community’s strengths, challenges, and aspirations. Throughout my career, I have worked side-by-side with families, educators, and community leaders across Worcester to provide the best opportunities for our students.
My commitment to Worcester is rooted in relationships built over many years and a shared vision for the success of every student in this city. I have been actively involved in district-wide initiatives, community meetings and roundtables, and partnerships that connect schools with local organizations and families.
Moving forward as Superintendent, I intend to deepen those ties and be fully present in the community, ensuring that I am accessible and engaged with the people we serve every day. It’s my responsibility to listen, understand, and respond to the needs of Worcester’s diverse population, and I am committed to doing just that with integrity and openness.
