By Ashley Hassett & Eileen Buckley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-986439.mp3
Buffalo, NY – Buffalo is saying farewell to city Schools Superintendent James Williams.
Williams presided over his last event at Southside Elementary Thursday.
Southside celebrated its grand opening after a year long renovation.
During the event Williams thanked the city for welcoming him for the past six years.
Williams challenged the Buffalo Public Schools to make each school air-conditioned and build a stadium in South Buffalo for student athletics.
Williams thanked all the students, teachers and administrators for their hard work. He said his last piece of advice is for everyone to continue to work as a team.
"One thing I want to say to this community, they've been very good, and we have made some great progress in the community. Don't regress back to the status-quo, we have to move forward," said Williams.
Williams was asked about his future plans as he shifts into retirement and how he plans to keep busy.
"I would like to write a book and probably lecture in higher education, but I'm going to sit down and talk to my family over the next month or so and decide how we want to do this. Because definitely, I want to be home with my family based on whatever I do. The moving around and traveling, that part is over," said Williams.
Superintendent Williams said he will miss Buffalo, but he will not miss the board meetings. He said after 39-years working as an educator, retirement has not sunken it yet.
Click the above audio to listen to WBFO's News producer interview Williams on his last day.