Westport Superintendent Away 'Until Further Notice'

WESTPORT, CT — Superintendent of Schools Colleen Palmer will be away from the district "until further notice" due to a family medical emergency, the Westport Board of Education announced in an email sent to families Monday morning.

According to the email, Palmer notified the Board that she would travel out of the area to attend to a family medical emergency late Thursday evening.

"Saturday, she confirmed to the Board of Education that one of her family members is undergoing a major medical emergency that requires her presence and attention," Board of Education members said in the email. "We understand from Dr. Palmer that she will be attending to this important family matter until further notice."

The email was signed by Chair Mark Mathias, Vice-Chair Jeannie Smith, Secretary Elaine Whitney, Karen Kleine, Vik Muktavaram, Candice Savin and Neil Phillips.

"In Dr. Palmer’s absence, our dedicated team of Central Office administrators are working to ensure that District operations and the delivery of excellent educational programming to our students will continue uninterrupted," members said in the email. "The Board's thoughts are with Dr. Palmer and her family during this difficult time."

According to Westport News, Palmer said in an email to school administrators Thursday night that Superintendent Anthony Buono would act as "administrator-in-charge" during her absence.

Earlier this month, Palmer announced she will retire as Superintendent of Schools on Aug. 1, capping 35 years of public service to Connecticut students, including 15 years as a superintendent. Board members said they would "work quickly to find a successor."