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The board appointed Thomas Turck as the district's interim superintendent for the 2025-26 school year on July 23, according to a  from board President Neil R. Stevens on Moravia's website.

Turck started July 24 and will be paid $900 a day, according to the for the board meeting where he was approved.

He recently retired as superintendent of the Homer Central School District after serving in that role since 2018.

"We are fortunate to have Tom's experience and guidance during this transition," Stevens said.

"We are confident that his leadership will help ensure a smooth and productive year ahead for our school community."

The Moravia school board decided to appoint a year-long interim superintendent to provide the district with "stability and strong leadership," Stevens said, while giving the board time to conduct a thorough search to fill the role on a permanent basis. The formal search process starts in the fall, with a goal of having the new superintendent begin July 1, 2026.

Turck is taking over for Concetta Galvan, whom the board hired as acting superintendent on June 11.

Galvan will become a transition consultant, Stevens told ÈËÊÞÐÔ½», and was appointed to that position by the board July 23. She will be paid $900 a day, for up to 10 days as needed, ending Sept. 1.

The board also appointed Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES District Superintendent Dr. Brian Hartwell as a search consultant. He has helped most area districts find new superintendents in recent years.

The administrative shakeup comes after former Superintendent John Birmingham took a sudden voluntary leave on June 9. On June 30, the board approved a separation agreement that provides him more than $285,000 in severance and almost fully paid retiree health insurance for him and his family. In exchange, he cannot bring any legal claims against the district or its board of education.

Both Stevens and Birmingham have declined comment to ÈËÊÞÐÔ½» on the reason for the separation. Stevens has called it "a personnel issue."

A Freedom of Information Law request by ÈËÊÞÐÔ½» for records of any investigations or disciplinary actions involving Birmingham was denied by the district, citing exceptions to the law.