Blackstone-Millville Welcomes Maureen Binienda as Interim Superintendent
The Blackstone-Millville Regional School District is welcoming veteran Massachusetts educator Maureen Binienda as its interim superintendent beginning July 27, introducing a new leader who says her focus will be on stability, transparency, and building strong partnerships with students, families, staff, and the community.
The Blackstone-Millville Regional School Committee approved Binienda’s interim superintendent contract during its July 6 meeting. The motion to approve the contract passed unanimously without discussion.
Binienda brings decades of experience in public education, having served as a teacher, high school principal, superintendent, interim superintendent, and interim executive director of a regional educational collaborative. She served as superintendent of Worcester Public Schools from 2016 through 2022, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, and currently serves as an at-large member of the Worcester School Committee.
A Message to the BMR Community
Following the announcement, the Blackstone-Millville Regional School District shared a welcome message from Binienda on Facebook, where she expressed her excitement about joining the district.
“I am incredibly excited and honored to step into the role of Interim Superintendent for the Blackstone-Millville Regional School District!”
Binienda said her career as a lifelong educator has centered on supporting teaching excellence and ensuring every student has a pathway to success.
Throughout her career, she said she has learned that the strongest schools are built on “transparency, active listening, trust, and deep community partnership.”
As she prepares to begin her role later this month, Binienda said she views the interim period as an opportunity to provide stability while listening closely to the needs of the district.
“An interim period is a unique opportunity to provide continued stability, listen closely to the community’s needs, and ensure our schools are set up for success from day one of a fantastic upcoming school year.”
Binienda also said she is looking forward to meeting staff, families, and community members throughout both Blackstone and Millville.
“Together, we will keep that positive momentum moving forward.”
Continuing Through a Leadership Transition
Binienda’s appointment marks the second consecutive school year that Blackstone-Millville will have an interim superintendent.
Former Superintendent Jason DeFalco left BMR in 2025 after seven years with the district to become superintendent of Marlborough Public Schools. Jill Pilla-Gallerani, assistant superintendent and director of student services, stepped into the interim superintendent role for the 2025-26 school year.
Pilla-Gallerani will continue serving as interim superintendent through July 26 before returning to her previous role with the district.
A New Superintendent Search Ahead
The appointment follows the district’s search for a permanent superintendent earlier this year. After interviewing finalists, the School Committee ultimately decided not to make a permanent appointment from the candidate pool.
During its June 17 meeting, committee members discussed moving in a different direction and instead pursuing an experienced interim superintendent while restarting the search for a permanent leader later this year.
Regrouping on a June 24 meeting, committee members said they had reviewed Maureen Binienda’s resume and professional accomplishments, spoken with her references, and came away impressed with both her experience and reputation. Several members described Binienda as the strongest candidate for the district’s current needs, expressing confidence that her leadership would provide stability while allowing the committee additional time to conduct a new superintendent search.
The committee voted on June 24 to authorize negotiations with Binienda for the interim superintendent position. Her contract received unanimous final approval at the July 6 School Committee meeting, and she is scheduled to begin her new role on July 27.
Leading BMR During an Important Time
Binienda begins her role at a significant time for the Blackstone-Millville Regional School District.
Along with preparing for the upcoming 2026-27 school year, the district continues work on plans for a potential new Blackstone-Millville Regional High School. According to the current project timeline, schematic designs have been submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).
If approved, the proposed project is expected to come before voters in both Blackstone and Millville this fall.
As Binienda begins her interim leadership role, she will help guide the district through the start of a new school year, continued planning for the district’s future, and the eventual search for a permanent superintendent.
Small Town Post will continue following updates from the Blackstone-Millville Regional School District as this transition moves forward.
