SOUTH OTSELIC – A permanent replacement for superintendent of the Otselic Valley School District has been named. As of July 1, Richard Hughes, currently the principal and athletic director at the Delaware Academy and Central School in Delhi, will officially take over from Interim Superintendent Linda Taylor.

Taylor, who temporarily filled the position following former superintendent Larry Thomas’ acceptance of the district superintendent position at the Sullivan County BOCES, said she’s “confident” that area residents will “embrace the new superintendent with the same enthusiasm” she was shown.

“The board, staff and community members have made this experience very enriching and rewarding,” stated Taylor, who wished to thank the Board of Education for the five-month appointment. “For that I will always be grateful.”

Taylor said her “most difficult challenge” as the interim superintendent was the 2010-2011 budget process, due to Governor David A. Paterson’s proposed $328,389 in cuts, a 5.89 percent reduction in state aid, and added she was “pleased that the budget passed” and believed the new superintendent and the community can now “start out on a positive note with new leadership.”