Norwalk Board Of Education Elects New Chair, Secretary

NORWALK, CT — The Board of Education elected Howard White as chair following a split vote during its annual organizational meeting held earlier this month.

White was elected chair during the Jan. 6 meeting on a 5–4 vote after being nominated by Mary Ellen Flaherty-Ludwig.

He received votes from himself and Flaherty-Ludwig, as well as board members Nellie Cole, Garrett Oliver and Marcus Jaime, according to meetings minutes available on the board's website.

Sherri McCready-Pritchett was also nominated by outgoing Chair Diana Carpio and received four votes from herself, Carpio and board members Jasmine Prezzie and Ashley Gulyas.

McCready-Pritchett was subsequently nominated to serve as vice chair but formally declined the position, leaving the role unfilled. No alternative nomination was made.

The board unanimously elected Gulyas as secretary on a 9-0 vote. She was nominated by Flaherty-Ludwig.

Earlier in the meeting, Town Clerk Rick McQuaid administered the oath of office to newly elected and re-elected members.

McQuaid also congratulated Mayor Barbara Smyth on her inauguration and recognized outgoing board members Janine Randolph, Colin Hosten and Kara Nelson Baekey for their service.

The meeting, held at Norwalk Public Schools headquarters on Concord Street, marked the board's first official gathering of 2026.

Superintendent of Schools Alexandra Estrella and other district administrators were also in attendance.