Media Contact:
Dan O’Brien, Chief Communications Officer
Worcester Public Schools
obriend@worcesterschools.net
774-525-1817 (cell)
Press Release
Dr. Rachel H. Monárrez To Step Down as Superintendent of Worcester Public Schools in June 2025
WORCESTER – Thursday, April 17, 2025 – Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Rachel H. Monárrez, PhD, announced today that she will step down from her role when the school year concludes in June.
Dr. Monárrez issued the following letter to families and staff members today:
Dear Worcester Public Schools Community,
I am writing to you with mixed emotion. After deep reflection, I have accepted a Superintendent position in California and will step down as Superintendent of Worcester Public Schools at the end of June 2025. I have come to this decision taking into account the needs of my family. As many of you know, my husband, Jesus, is retired, and this next chapter in our lives will allow us to spend more time together with our family and friends in our home state of California.
Serving as your superintendent has been an incredible honor. Over the past three years, under our guiding mantra—from here, anywhere… together—we have made meaningful progress toward greater equity and opportunity for our scholars. We have strengthened specialized programming options, expanded inclusionary practices, and remained steadfast in keeping scholars in school. We have fostered a safer, more welcoming environment for both students and staff, bolstered by robust safety training and a deepened sense of belonging in part through our school-based culture and climate teams. Our youngest scholars are reading at the highest level since my arrival.
We have transformed how we engage with families and the community, ensuring that communication is clear, accessible, and inclusive. With the successful rollout of our five-year strategic plan, Our Promise to the Future, we have built a strong foundation for the district’s continued growth. Our creation of the quadrant teams have brought district staff closer to schools, strengthening connections between educators and children. We celebrated the opening of the new Doherty Memorial High School and launched the long-awaited Burncoat High School construction project. And over the past three years, we have doubled the annual funding toward facilities and school safety, from $8.2 million to $16.6 million.
Most importantly, we have lifted the voices of those we serve. The Superintendent’s Student Advisory Committee, Family and Community Engagement Roundtable, and Educator Advisory Council have provided essential perspectives in shaping our work. Our collaboration with the Educational Association of Worcester has resulted in a stronger partnership and a significant reduction in staff grievances. And with the launch of Vision of a Learner, we have set a clear path for what it means to be future-ready upon graduation.
Through it all, the greatest privilege of my time here has been elevating the brilliance of our scholars. Their achievements, creativity, and resilience inspire me daily.
I have informed members of the Worcester School Committee, including Mayor Joseph M. Petty, along with my WPS Cabinet team and key stakeholders of my decision. I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition. I have made myself available to discuss the transition plan and offer my support to the School Committee in any way necessary.
I extend my deepest gratitude to the Worcester School Committee members along with many local and state elected officials, our city and state leaders, our dedicated educators and staff, our families, and our many community partners for your support and commitment to our scholars. I am confident that the momentum we have built together will carry Worcester Public Schools forward to even greater success.
As we look to the future, I encourage everyone to remain on a journey of excellence embracing this quote. “Excellence can be obtained if you ... care more than others think is wise; ... risk more than others think is safe; . . . dream more than others think is practical; ... expect more than others think is possible.” I want to share my deep appreciation and love for the families, staff and community members of WPS who practice this mindset each and every day.
With appreciation,
Rachel H. Monárrez, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Worcester Public Schools
Statement from Mayor Joseph M. Petty:
Mayor’s Office Contact:
Eliana Agudelo, Chief of Staff
agudeloe@worcesterma.gov
508-799-1153 X31352
Mayor Joseph M. Petty issued a statement today regarding the announced departure of Worcester Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Rachel Monárrez:
“There are many feelings that come up as we announce the departure of Superintendent Monárrez. While we discuss the end of our time with Dr. Monárrez, I also want to talk about our promising beginnings with her at the helm of the Worcester Public Schools. I initially met Dr. Monárrez for coffee three years ago, after she had visited one of the Worcester Public Schools. Within a brief visit, Dr. Monárrez already had a clear understanding of what was going well within the school and what needed improvements. There are three words that I would use to describe Dr. Monárrez: thoughtful, astute, and honest.
“Superintendent Monárrez’s vision for our scholars and her awareness of how to make schools better has brought the Worcester Public Schools to the next level. Her genuine disposition and brilliant mind have made me feel confident in anything she has ever had to say. Furthermore, Dr. Monárrez has always believed in our children. Language matters, and even a detail as small as using the word “scholars” to describe our students implies our youth’s potential and their ability to do more than what we credit them for. It has always been a pleasure working with her.
“Dr. Monárrez’s three years have had their ups and downs, but ultimately I have trusted every decision she has made, no matter how difficult a choice was ahead of her. Most recently, I felt like I was able to have an open, honest conversation to discuss the option of becoming a declarant in a lawsuit opposing the defunding of the Department of Education. Last year, Dr. Monárrez did an incredible job at making careful decisions about the 2025 budget. There has never been a doubt in my mind that the Superintendent has always believed in the investment of our scholars and their environment. She has tried her best to communicate information with transparency and kindness, while working to build trust within the community. Personally, our conversations have always been considerate and honest. I know that I have always been able to rely on Dr. Monárrez to be thoughtful about her approach to different issues.
“I wish nothing but the best for Dr. Monárrez as she returns home, although she will be fondly missed by her Worcester Public Schools family.”
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