WORCESTER – Superintendent of Public Schools (WPS) Brian Allen wrote to parents and guardians of students at Nelson Place School, at 35 Nelson Pl., informing them that school Principal Mary Sealey has taken a temporary leave of absence.
Ellen Moynihan, a former principal at West Tatnuck Elementary School, will fill in as principal at Nelson Place for the remainder of the school year, according to Allen’s email.
Sealey has faced a torrent of criticism from some parents and guardians of students at Nelson Place since her appointment at the beginning of this school year. Parents told This Week in Worcester that the concerns originate from Sealey’s appointment as principal at the school and what they say is a lack of special education experience in Sealey’s career history.
Worcester Public Schools says that Sealey has extensive experience with special education, including 10 years as a curriculum specialist at Roosevelt Elementary High School, which had several special education programs during her tenure. She also served as assistant principal at Columbus Park Elementary School and principal at Canterbury Street Elementary School, both of which had special education programs.
Nelson Place School serves a high number of students who require special education programs. According to information from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) of the 86 kindergarten students currently at Nelson Place, 49 have high needs, and 30 of those are students with disabilities.
One parent told This Week in Worcester that the search process for a principal at Nelson Place School says the search committee unanimously selected another candidate. Then-Superintendent Rachel Monarrez instead selected Sealey.
According to Worcester Public Schools, Sealey was the highest-rated candidate in the first phase of the search process and one of three candidates who went on to the second round. The first round included parents, community members, and staff. During the second phase, which included the superintendent’s cabinet, recommended only Sealey for the position.
Search committees make recommendations, but the appointing authority belongs to the superintendent.
On October 7, 2025, Worcester Public Schools announced Nelson Place Vice-Principal Cindy Homan’s transfer to another school in the city. WPS said the move was a mutual decision. Two days later, some parents held a standout in front of the school, protesting Homan’s transfer and seeking the school administration to intervene at Nelson Place.
Allen expressed support for Sealey.
One parent of a student at Nelson Place received a letter from the private attorney representing Sealey in November, alleging the parent made defamatory statements and threatening civil litigation.
Other parents said that those involved in organizing against Sealey had requests for voluntary transfers, to keep their students attending Nelson Place, rejected. According to Worcester Public Schools, voluntary transfer cases are rescinded evert year, typically based on space available for students.
On Dec. 22, 2025, Educational Association of Worcester (EAW) members at the school took a vote of no confidence in Sealey. Of those who voted, 98 percent voted to support the vote of no confidence.
On Jan. 8, parents involved in organizing against Sealey attended the Worcester School Committee meeting to express their concerns, but were told that the item wasn’t on the agenda, so no one could speak about it at the meeting
Since January, parents have continued to express concerns about staffing instability and leadership at the school.
It is unclear what led to Sealey’s leave.
Editor’s note: This piece was updated after its original publication to include comments from the Worcester Public Schools.
