Walter Moran is the superintendent of Buildings and Grounds for the Cornwall Central School District. But he’s been spending some of his time in Highland Falls this summer. It’s an example of school districts communicating and trying to help one another.
The Highland Falls School District has been looking for a facilities director. In the meantime, it has a lot of work to get done.
So the district’s assistant superintendent for business approached Harvey Sotland, his counterpart in Cornwall, and asked for help. The dialogue wasn’t that unusual.
“Business officials have monthly meetings,” Mr. Sotland said while explaining the arrangement on the telephone. “And with our two districts so close together, we’re always chatting.”
He compared the agreement to an understanding between individuals. “You help them out when you can,” he said. “And you call on them when you need their help.”
In this case, sharing an employee for the summer was feasible. Walter Moran said it wouldn’t interfere with his work in Cornwall, and Superintendent Neal Miller gave his approval.
So Mr. Moran has been spending up to 16 hours a week in the neighboring district, and Cornwall will be reimbursed for his time on the “other job.”
The arrangement will last for six weeks while Highland Falls starts a capital project, undergoes inspections, continues its summer maintenance, and hires a permanent employee.
During this time, Mr. Moran is likely to confer with Dr. Frank Sheboy, the former Cornwall Central High School principal, who is now the Highland Falls superintendent of schools.
