Norwalk superintendent to step down; board appoints Deputy Sandra Fayoliz as interim

The Norwalk Board of Education accepted the resignation of its superintendent and appointed deputy superintendent Sandra Fayoliz as interim at the April 23 meeting.

Board members paid tribute to the outgoing superintendent's six years of service, citing progress on equity initiatives and improvements in student outcomes. "You've always put children first," one board member said, thanking the superintendent for her leadership.

The board moved to add the interim appointment to the agenda and then voted to appoint Sandra Fayoliz, noting she has worked in the district for 14 years and most recently served as deputy superintendent. The board specified the appointment is effective at the end of the superintendent's service and subject to approval by the state commissioner of education.

Fayoliz addressed the board, thanked colleagues and committed to "keeping the seat warm" during the search process. The board also established a superintendent search committee under the cited Connecticut statute to begin a formal search for a successor.

What's next: The interim appointment is contingent on commissioner approval; the search committee will oversee candidate recruitment and recommendation to the full board.