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BPS removes interim tag and names Tonja Williams superintendent

Interim Buffalo Schools Supt. Tonja Williams
Buffalo Public Schools
Dr. Tonja Williams was named Buffalo Public Schools superintendent July 14, 2022.

Breaking from the pattern of recent decades, the Buffalo Public Schools Board of Education has decided to change Interim Superintendent Tonja Williams to Superintendent Tonja Williams.

The board voted Thursday to skip the traditional national search and instead promote Williams, a local native, graduate of BPS and 32-year staff member in those same schools.

Williams had held the interim superintendent role since Dr. Kriner Cash resigned as superintendent in March.

With a large group of family members watching in a packed Buffalo Common Council Chamber, from her mother to a grandchild, Williams told the public she’s giving the school system her all.

The Buffalo Public Schools Board of Education holds meeting July 14, 2022, to confirm Dr. Tonja Williams as its new superintendent.
Mike Desmond
/
WBFO News
The Buffalo Public Schools Board of Education holds meeting July 14, 2022, to confirm Dr. Tonja Williams as its new superintendent.

“People ask me: What do you mean when you say I understand the assignment? That means I give 110% every day, every single day. It's not an 84," Williams said. "Monday through Friday, I'm in the community and I'm always in my role of caring for our children. I want to ensure that all of our children have a fighting chance to achieve their dreams because I am them and they are me.”

Williams said those long hours are paying off, with the school system offices getting out high school assignments for every student and getting after-school programs running. They had been stalled, since September, by school bus problems.

Williams wants schools to support students, to be a bridge over troubled waters.

“Because the waters are choppy and the waters are filled with low expectations, grief, despair, homelessness, poverty, trauma, mental health, fear of success that so many of our children suffer from and anger," she said.

Many of those students are coming off the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, days at home, and living in a home without web access.

New York State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa watched the board meeting on her computer. Over the years, State Ed and BPS have had some problems, but Rosa and Williams have worked together on some projects.

“During my last several months of working with her, she has been not only an exemplary leader but somebody who is passionate and shows compassion," Rosa said. "I've had several conversations with her about making some decisions that we know are very specific and sensitive to the community.”

Mike Desmond is one of Western New York’s most experienced reporters, having spent nearly a half-century covering the region for newspapers, television stations and public radio. He has been with WBFO and its predecessor, WNED-AM, since 1988. As a reporter for WBFO, he has covered literally thousands of stories involving education, science, business, the environment and many other issues. Mike has been a long-time theater reviewer for a variety of publications and was formerly a part-time reporter for The New York Times.