Two Employees Receive Excellence in Education Awards from Mid-Hudson School Study Council

(l-r) WVCSD Board President Keith Parsons, Than Harrington, Millie Rivera, and WVCSD Superintendent Dr. David Leach

Congratulations to two members of the Warwick Valley school community, Milagros “Millie” Rivera and Than Harrington, whose inestimable contributions to our district were recognized by the Mid-Hudson School Study Council (MHSSC) during its Excellence in Education Awards ceremony last week.

Millie received the Council’s Award for Excellence in Support Staff, and Than received the Excellence in Administration Award. Please join us in congratulating Millie and Than on these well-deserved honors.

Millie Rivera serves as the Executive Secretary in Human Resources and has proudly worked at Warwick Valley for nearly 25 years. She collaborates seamlessly with various departments, including the superintendent’s office, business office, and our special education department, proving time and again just what an integral part of our school community she is. And she does it all with a unique gift for fostering teamwork and unity that is not only commendable, but vital.

“Patience and collegiality are the hallmarks of Millie’s character, and she approaches every task, no matter how small, with a willingness to assist others,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Leach. “Whether interacting with internal stakeholders or external partners, Millie’s professionalism shines through in every interaction, and her ability to build positive relationships enhances our district’s reputation and creates a welcoming environment for all who interact with her.”

Millie’s critical roles for the district extend far beyond her meticulous management of administrative duties, support of senior leadership, and handling day-to-day tasks within the human resources office. She handles tasks such as aiding with FMLA protocols, emergency response plans, accident reports, and annual evaluations. She ensures that staff remains informed about important protocols and procedures, consistently keeping all departments and buildings up to date with critical information, even organizing monthly meetings with our district office team to review the personnel agenda and gather valuable feedback.

Millie’s expertise in civil service law is frequently sought out by district leadership, who seek her trusted advice on related matters. Her deep knowledge and understanding of complex regulations have been instrumental in navigating the often-challenging landscape of civil service law for our organization. She plays a vital role in our district’s recruitment process, working closely with management to help attract high-quality candidates and streamline the hiring and on-boarding procedures. After she has coordinated job posts, liaised with recruitment agents, and scheduled interviews, Millie is also among the first ambassadors that new hires interact with when they arrive at Warwick Valley CSD. Of course, she makes every one of them feel welcomed and supported from day one.

“Millie’s dedication to professionalism has been instrumental in the successful hiring of over forty percent of our high-quality teachers, administrators, and numerous support staff,” said Ms. Leandro. “Our human resources department continues to thrive thanks to Millie’s unwavering dedication and excellence in managing processes, protocols, and communication. Millie consistently goes above and beyond her duties, and her contributions to our district office are invaluable. She is a stand-out employee who is greatly appreciated by her colleagues, and it is a pleasure to work alongside her!”

Than Harrington is our district’s Director of Facilities. He was recognized by the MHSSC for his extraordinary combination of expertise, leadership, and an unwavering dedication to our district’s mission to provide safe, accessible, comfortable environments that foster learning, support, and inclusion. In his role, Than is responsible for the planning, organization, and direction that affects Warwick Valley buildings and grounds, and ensures that all are maintained to the highest standards. In doing so, he stays abreast of all current codes, laws, rules, and regulations governing school facilities to ensure that our district remains in strict compliance with state, local, and federal requirements.

As just one example of his day-to-day duties, Than is deeply involved in the maintenance and inspection of district HVAC systems, which contributes directly to student and staff comfort and safety, as well as energy-efficiency. He also oversees the meticulous upkeep of our athletic fields, playgrounds, and surrounding grounds, which provides continual opportunities for student and community enjoyment.

Mr. Harrington is an effective administrator whose proactive approach to the job has also garnered deep respect as a leader from the members of the district’s buildings and grounds team.

“That is something that truly sets Than apart. It’s not just his administrative skill, but also his willingness to get hands-on when it comes to maintenance and repair tasks,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Leach. “He approaches every challenge, whether indoors or outdoors, with technical proficiency and a strong commitment to safety. His mechanical aptitude, his meticulous inspections, his management of contractors, his attention to budgetary needs, all these things have been critical in keeping our facilities in top condition.”

Than is committed to the professional development of the custodial and maintenance staff and coordinates in-service training to complement and build upon their strengths. He makes sure they are equipped with the skills and tools to maintain our facilities to his own high standards and, in fact, often conducts training sessions himself.

Than is an important advisor in the preparation and review of maintenance and capital project bids, and assumes sole responsibility for construction management. His thoughtful, well-researched guidance has proven instrumental in steering the district through the planning stages of these often-complex projects to their successful completion. His expert guidance on these matters has not only resulted in the fantastic results seen around our campuses, but has also saved Warwick taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars.

“Than excels at optimizing resource allocation, and his careful evaluations and strategic thinking have been crucial in ensuring that our district’s resources are used wisely,” added Assistant Superintendent for Business Timothy Holmes. “He knows how to skillfully balance budgetary limitations, time constraints and the availability of personnel or equipment to always find the most efficient and cost-effective solutions, which ultimately benefits the entire community.”

Dr. Leach added, “I have worked in several school districts throughout my career, and I have also been around construction my whole life; my dad was a builder and plumber himself. Than’s particular expertise is rare to find in public education, and his contributions to our district are invaluable.”