WORCESTER— Earlier this month, the Worcester School Committee named Deputy Superintendent and CFO Brian Allen as the district’s next superintendent. He’ll officially take the helm on July 1, succeeding Dr. Rachel H. Monárrez, who is departing for a new superintendent position in Orange, California.
Allen’s promotion was met with a mix of celebration and criticism. Many saw him as the best candidate to continue the district’s positive progression while others were concerned about the lack of an interview process and Allen’s limited classroom experience.
As Allen prepares to enter his new role, the Worcester Guardian had a chance to speak with the soon-to-be superintendent and get his take on the criticism, the praise, and his hopes for the future of the district.
WG: Your promotion received a lot of support, but there were some who commented on your lack of experience in the classroom and questioned your qualifications for the job. What is your response to those comments and how can you earn the trust of those who may not have supported your promotion for one reason or another as the new leader of the Worcester Public Schools?
Allen: I’ve been asked that a number of times, and I think what we believe is our instruction happens in the classroom by classroom teachers and they are supported directly by their building principals. My view is the role of this building, of the central office, is to support the schools in their instructions. We do that mostly through resource allocations providing them people, time, and materials to provide instruction. I find that to be a skill of mine. While I have not been in the classroom in a K-12 setting, I’ve been in the district and working for the city for over 32 years and I’m acutely aware of what’s happening in Worcester Public Schools and how we can support our schools.
WG: When you were hired some made their concerns clear about the lack of an interview process. Do you have any comments concerning those criticisms?
Allen: Obviously I was not in charge of the hiring process so I would defer that to the school committee.
WG: You were chosen in part because of your work alongside the current superintendent, Dr. Rachel Monárrez, and what her administration has been able to accomplish in a short time. With that in mind, there’s a lot of pressure on your shoulders to continue that positive momentum. How do you plan to approach that and continue to build off what many have considered positive progression in the district and continue with the goals set under her leadership?
Allen: I was the chair of the Strategic Plan Committee, so I have that experience and with all of the committee members and the work we’ve done sense to implement that, it has really been a collective effort as a team over the last three years. It has not been Dr. Monárrez alone working on those priorities. We have six key priorities of the strategic plan and those are the key priorities we want to keep working on. We’re building the systems and structures and then providing resources to support that. That’s how we’re going to continue this is just by continuing what we’ve laid out as part of the plan, what we’ve implemented to date and making improvements as we go, and then continuing to support that through additional resources in the upcoming years.
WG: With that in mind, I’m sure you also want to leave your own mark on the district. What are your immediate and long-term personal goals for the Worcester Public Schools?
Allen: As a Worcester kid I really want to see us continue to provide and improve quality instruction that happens each and every day in our classrooms in Worcester Public Schools. My personal goal is to do whatever we can to support the schools in allowing our scholars to succeed in all areas. I’m deeply committed to the district, and I just want to see opportunities for all of our students to be successful in the future.
WG: You’ve talked about the six goals in the strategic plan. Is there any area where you feel that Worcester needs to improve or grow that may have been overlooked and can be a new focus for you over the next few years?
Allen: I don’t know if there’s anything new. I think the strategic plan is a pretty laid out document with many aims under each of the six key priorities. If you look at the budget document, right in the executive summary I think, it shows for resource allocation, which I consider to be my expertise, and how we’re supporting that area. The current superintendent has done an amazing transformational job in systems and structures for Worcester Public Schools. I think we’re getting to a point where there are still some improvements needed where we can go deeper into some of those strategic plans. That’s where I feel I’ll be leaving my mark on the district.
WG: Speaking of budgets, you’re in a unique position where you’re currently serving as deputy superintendent and CFO with a heavy involvement in the budget. Now, as the incoming superintendent, what has the experience been like for you having to examine the budget from a new perspective while also filling your current duties?
Allen: I don’t do the budget alone. It’s done by a whole team of people including building-based leaders. I’m an expert on how schools are financed and how we provide resources, but I don’t know that I’m going to be making any significant changes in any of that over the next three years.
WG: What do you feel like your biggest overall challenge will be in this transition? What’s the one thing you’re going to have to adjust to or learn the most in your new position?
Allen: I’m actually very proud of the track record I’ve left behind in finance and operations. It’s just giving that up. That, to me, is the biggest challenge. I’m actually really looking forward to the new challenge that lies ahead.
WG: You don’t have a whole lot of time to prepare. What steps are you taking to adjust to this office and take on a new role with the school district?
Allen: I know what the change of roles means in terms of being out in the community and maybe being in the schools a little more. I’m up to that challenge. It’s the part of the job I’m looking most forward to.
WG: Have you had a chance to visit any of the schools and talk with any of the educators yet?
Allen: While I haven’t been in a K-12 classroom, I do teach a class at Worcester State University for teachers who are aspiring to become district leaders. I’ve been doing that for more than 20 years and hundreds of Worcester Public School teachers and administrators have come through my class and I’ve heard from many of them that have reached out and congratulated me.
WG: How do you plan to network further and get out into the classrooms to put a face to the name so that you’re not only meeting the teachers, but the students and everyone who will be looking to you to help push the district forward?
Allen: Literally on day one, the first day of school, we’re going to hit the ground running. I’ll be out frequently in our schools, in our community with partners, and at round tables. I’ll be out of the office hopefully more than I’m in the office.
WG: Thank you, Mr. Allen, for your time. Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Allen: I’m just really excited and looking forward to this opportunity. I think we have great educators, great building principals, and a great central office team. I look forward to continuing working with them in this different capacity over the next three years.
Jason Bleau, a seasoned reporter from Connecticut’s Quiet Corner, has over 11 years of news media experience. He has worked as a news anchor for WINY 1350 AM, contributed to Stonebridge Press publications, and covered racing as a Press Box coordinator at Thompson Speedway. Outside journalism, he is a movie enthusiast, freelance film reviewer, banker, and solo musician. He can be reached at bleau.jason@yahoo.com
