OXFORD – Oxford Business Manager Harold Covey’s last official day on the job was Tuesday, but on Wednesday he was right back at his familiar desk in the school’s district office.

In July, Covey announced his intention to retire, a decision he says was prompted by the early retirement incentive offered by New York State. He will remain on, however, in an interim basis until his position is filled. According to the timeline established by Superintendent Randy Squier, that could be until the first of the year. Covey will be compensated $422.81 per day for the work he does for the district during that time, based on the per diem rate approved on Monday by Oxford’s board of education.

In comparison, the Norwich City School district compensated their Interim Business Manager, Jim Collison, $425 per day in the period between Margaret Boice’s departure and the appointment of Robert Wightman.

According to Squier, paying the daily rate to keep Covey, with his expertise and knowledge of the district, made financial sense for the district, rather than rushing to fill the position or look outside for an interim person.

Covey already had 21 years of experience as a school business official when he came to Oxford in 2003.