School principal resigns after 8 months in new role
NORWALK — The school district is seeking a new principal for Fox Run Elementary School after the current principal of eight months resigned.
Fox Run Principal Dr. Sylvia Sanders, resigned from her role effective May 7. She will be superseded by Tracey Magnet School’s curriculum and site instructor Carla Monteiro-Walsh, who will take over as interim principal on May 10,
according to an announcement released to Fox Run parents earlier this month.
Monteiro-Walsh will be Fox Run’s principal for the remainder of the school year.
Sanders is leaving for personal reasons, Norwalk Public Schools spokesperson Brenda Wilcox Williams said. Sanders declined to comment Thursday on her sudden departure.
The principal job posting was listed on April 8 and is set to close April 23, with a preferred availability date of May 7, Sanders’ last day as principal.
The terms of employment list the role as a 12-month agreement.
Sanders stepped in as the school’s principal on Sept. 29 following former Principal James Martinez’s appointment as district director of school counseling. Her employment was finalized by the Board of Education in October.
Sanders came to Norwalk from the IDEA Schools in Tampa Bay, Fla., where she was vice president of schools.
Monteiro-Walsh was chosen to fill the role by District Superintendent Dr. Alexandra Estrella, Wilcox Williams said. The interim principal declined to comment on Thursday.
Prior to becoming curriculum and site instructor at Tracey, Monteiro-Walsh served as a literary coach at the magnet school and developed after-school programs to aid students. During her tenure at the school, she served as a teacher for 17 years and worked as a literacy lab teacher for five years, according to the announcement.
Monteiro-Walsh served as part of the Tracey team when the school was honored with the Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing School National Blue Ribbon Award in 2019 and named a CT School of Distinction in 2018 and 2019, as well.
“She is a highly regarded and experienced elementary educator, with deep roots here in Norwalk,” Wilcox Williams said. “She is currently working with Dr. Sanders to transition into Fox Run to ensure a smooth transition. Under her guidance, Fox Run will be well positioned to finish out the year on a strong and positive note.”