MARLBOROUGH — Superintendent Mary Murphy, a longtime educator and administrator with Marlborough Public Schools, has retired after over two decades of service to the district.
Murphy began her administrative career in 2003 as assistant principal at Francis J. Kane Elementary School. Over the years, she advanced through the ranks, serving as principal of Jaworek Elementary, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning, and, in 2022, superintendent following the retirement of Michael Bergeron.
“I have loved everything that I have ever done in Marlborough,” Murphy said as she prepared to step down at the end of June.
During her tenure, Murphy helped the district navigate significant demographic and operational challenges. Under her leadership, Marlborough Public Schools expanded its support for a growing multilingual population, with faculty receiving training in Portuguese and Spanish to better serve students and families, the Community Advocate reported.
In 2024, the district enrolled 25 students from refugee and immigrant families who were temporarily housed at the Holiday Inn in Marlborough. “Children are children. We are all here to learn together,” Murphy said.
She also led the district through a two-day transportation strike in May 2023, when drivers for the district’s provider, NRT, walked off the job. Murphy and other staff members stepped in as crossing guards to ensure students made it to school safely. “It was a lot of work, it was scary, but it was something we could all do,” Murphy said.
Mayor J. Christian Dumais, who chairs the Marlborough School Committee, praised Murphy’s steady leadership. “Her 20-plus year tenure with the district has had many facets,” Dumais said. “Navigating that change has not been easy, but she took on the challenge with grace and professionalism. She is respected throughout the district, and her leaving will be profound.”
Murphy, who retired at the end of June, says she remains committed to the district: “I’m not changing my telephone number,” she said. “I’ve said repeatedly I will help. I love Marlborough, I love the students, and I thank the parents and the community.”
As part of the transition, the Marlborough School Committee has announced a slate of new leaders for the 2025–2026 school year.
Jason DeFalco, a veteran public school administrator with more than 20 years of experience, has been appointed interim superintendent. DeFalco most recently served as superintendent of the Blackstone-Millville Regional School District and previously held leadership roles in urban school systems. He holds a Doctor of Education from Johnson & Wales University and a master’s degree in school leadership and administration from Worcester State College.
In addition to DeFalco’s appointment, the district has announced two new principals:
- Jennifer Collins has been named principal of Goodnow Brothers Elementary School. Collins began her career as a teacher in Marlborough in 1997 and taught grades K–3 for 24 years. She recently served as assistant principal in the Uxbridge Public Schools after completing a principal licensure program in 2022.
- Stephen Sierpina will take over as principal of Marlborough High School. He brings more than 16 years of experience as a school administrator in both urban and suburban districts and previously served as principal of Groton-Dunstable High School. Sierpina holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from Fitchburg State University and a bachelor’s degree in history and secondary education from St. Anselm College.
These leadership changes took effect on July 1, 2025.