OXFORD – Oxford Academy Central School District has seen a number of changes over the last year, not the least of which is the appointment of Sylvia Root as interim superintendent.

Root took over in August following the departure of Randy Squier and will remain until a permanent replacement is found, she said.

The last two months have held many challenges for an interim superintendent coming from outside the area. All three schools in the district have been undergoing significant construction over the last year due to a $1 million capital project which includes new gym floors, bathroom remodeling, and a complete refurbishing of the auditorium seating.

However, according to Root, the biggest challenge has come in the form of Tropical Storm Lee, which caused extensive flooding to the Southern Tier earlier this month. Included in the flooding was the Oxford Middle School, which was almost completely surrounded by the rising Chenango River.