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Norwalk School District board appoints Dr. Damon Lewis as executive director of leadership development
Summary
In a brief special meeting July 9, 2026, the Norwalk School District Board of Education approved the appointment of Dr. Damon Lewis as executive director of leadership development after a superintendent recommendation and unanimous voice vote.
The Norwalk School District Board of Education voted unanimously on July 9, 2026, to appoint Dr. Damon Lewis as the district's executive director of leadership development, the board announced in a special meeting.
Interim Superintendent Sandra Fayoese formally recommended Lewis to the board, describing him as a decade-long school leader in the district with a record of improving student outcomes and districtwide leadership work. "I'm here to officially recommend Doctor Damon Lewis as Norwalk Public Schools' new executive director of leadership development," Fayoese said, praising his leadership at Ponis Ridge and his service on statewide education panels.
The recommendation framed the role as one that will "develop others, inspire future leaders, and strengthen the leadership capacity across our entire district," Fayoese said, and urged the board to move forward with the appointment. She also cited awards and state-level service that, according to the transcript, included recognition as a Connecticut middle school principal of the year and selection to Governor Lamont's Blue Ribbon Commission on K-12 education funding and accountability.
Several board members offered brief praise for Lewis ahead of the vote, noting drops in absenteeism at his school and increased identification of Black and Latino students for gifted-and-talented programs under his leadership. One board member said Lewis had "inspired children" and another recounted an event where students appeared highly engaged while Lewis addressed them.
Dr. Damon Lewis thanked the board and district leaders and said he prefers to work "behind the scenes" to scale practices districtwide. "I'm incredibly humbled and honored," Lewis said, adding that he planned to work with building leaders to extend successful practices beyond his current school.
After brief remarks, Chair Howard White asked for a motion to appoint Lewis. The board recorded a motion and a second and approved the appointment by voice vote with no recorded opposition; the chair declared the appointment official.
The appointment takes effect immediately, the board said during the meeting. The special session ended after a motion to adjourn.
What happens next: the board did not record additional details in the meeting about start dates, contract length, or the superintendent's implementation plan; those items were not specified in the transcript.
