Dr. David Abbey named interim superintendent of schools

Dr.+David+Abbey+began+as+interim+superintendent+of+schools+on+May+8.+He+served+as+coordinator+of+the+Westport+Regional+Center+and+department+of+special+education+at+Staples+High+School+from+1981+to+1987.

Photo courtesy of Westport Public Schools

Dr. David Abbey began as interim superintendent of schools on May 8. He served as coordinator of the Westport Regional Center and department of special education at Staples High School from 1981 to 1987.

Dr. David Abbey began as interim superintendent of schools on May 8.

The Board of Education (BOE) appointed him to the role with a unanimous vote on May 6. Abbey will hold the position until the BOE finds a permanent superintendent.

“It is gratifying to find someone of Dr. Abbey’s caliber to lead our schools through this transition period,” BOE Chair Mark Mathias said in a press release.

Abbey replaced Acting Superintendent of Schools Anthony Buono, who took over on April 9 after the departure of Dr. Colleen Palmer.

“For me, working in Westport is a homecoming of sorts,” Abbey said in the press release.

Abbey served as coordinator of the Westport Regional Center and department of special education at Staples High School from 1981 to 1987.

The Westport Public Schools is an outstanding district,

— Superintendent Dr. David Abbey

“The fact that he has experience in the Westport Public Schools adds to Dr. Abbey’s ability to quickly and effectively engage with our Westport community,” Mathias said in the press release.

Abbey worked in New Canaan Public Schools for almost two decades after he left Westport. His roles there included principal of New Canaan High School and superintendent of schools.

Abbey also served as interim director of human resources for Wilton Public Schools and Newtown Public Schools.

“The Westport Public Schools is an outstanding district,” Abbey said in the press release, “and has a long-standing and well-deserved reputation as a lighthouse district, supported by a highly engaged community and benefitting from an excellent group of teachers, administrators and staff.”