Board of Education Chair Mark Mathias said tonight Schools Superintendent Colleen Palmer is away on a “family matter” and her duties have been assumed by Assistant Superintendent Anthony Buono during her absence.
Colleen Palmer: taking time off. Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
There was no public announcement of the abrupt temporary leadership change which came a day after publication of a survey by administrators critical of Palmer.
On Thursday, Palmer responded to a WestportNow request for comment on the survey this way: “We are aware of the survey, and our BoE has been working to create productive conversations to listen to and assist in resolving these concerns. We value our administrative team, and we are taking the results of the survey very seriously.”
It has been a rough time for Palmer, who announced on March 14 her intention to resign effective Aug. 1 after three years on the job.
Among the challenges: closure of Coleytown Middle School because of air quality issues, the placing on administrative leave of two elementary school principals (Long Lots and Kings Highway) and the departure of Staples High School Principal James D’Amico at the end of the school year.
