Meet Our Superintendent

Sandra Faioes is deeply committed to serving the community and centers serving all students at the core of her mission. 

The Norwalk Board of Education appointed Sandra Faioes to serve as the interim superintendent for Norwalk Public Schools, beginning on July 1, 2026. She had served as the district’s deputy superintendent since December 2023.

District Leadership and Student Achievement

Since 2020, Faioes has served as a member of the superintendent’s cabinet, integrally involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, progress monitoring, community relations and communication with the Board of Education. During that time, Norwalk Public Schools has consistently surpassed all other Connecticut city districts in literacy, math and science performance while also exceeding the state average in graduation rates and reductions in chronic absenteeism.

As deputy superintendent, and previously as assistant superintendent for business and operations, she has dramatically improved efficiencies in student data management, transportation, the school nutrition program, school safety readiness and district infrastructure. Her strong financial leadership extends from fiscal management of facilities to major school construction and renovation projects, most notably the $225 million Norwalk High School and P-TECH Norwalk building.

School-Based Leadership

Faioes joined Norwalk Public Schools in 2013, working at Richard C. Briggs High School for two years, where she served as a curriculum and instruction site director, instructional coach and reading specialist. She then became assistant principal and later principal of Brookside Elementary School, serving in those leadership roles for four years.

During her time at Brookside, she successfully helped move the school from a Category 3 to a Category 2 school under the State Accountability Index. She also partnered with FoodCorps to establish a social-emotional initiative focused on nutrition and physical wellness.

Driving Districtwide Improvement

Faioes was named Director of School Improvement in 2019, where she evaluated school principals and collaborated with them to develop school improvement plans aligned with district priorities. She also played an integral role in reopening schools during the pandemic by designing, writing and implementing health and safety protocols for summer and fall 2020 instruction.

Her accomplishments included writing, securing and managing nearly $30 million in grants, including entitlement grants, CARES Act funding and several competitive grants.

In 2020, she was appointed Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations, leading the strategic management of facilities and grounds, transportation, food services, health services, grants, athletics, school safety and partnerships with local law enforcement.

Early Career

Before joining Norwalk Public Schools, Faioes worked in Boston Public Schools, serving as interim humanities program director and literacy coach for the district's Secondary English Language Arts Department. She was also a member of the Common Core Standards workgroup design team and served as a subject work team leader. From 2007 to 2010, she was humanities department head and Grade 10 team leader at The Engineering School in Boston.

She began her career as a teacher in Boston Public Schools and also served as lead teacher and testing coordinator for High Tech High Media Arts in San Diego.

Education

Faioes holds Connecticut certifications in Intermediate Administration and Supervision (092) and Superintendent of Schools (093). She earned a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership from Simmons College and completed the Executive Leadership Program at the University of Connecticut Neag School of Education. She also holds a Master of Arts in Education and a Bachelor of Arts in English and Black Studies, both from Boston College.

Personal Background and Commitment to Service

Faioes is the youngest daughter of a Portuguese father and a West African mother. She immigrated to the United States in the second grade and attended Boston Public Schools. She is fluent in Spanish, Portuguese and Cape Verdean Creole.

She is deeply committed to serving the Norwalk community and ensuring that the success and well-being of every student remains at the center of her leadership.