2 years ago
Buffalo School Superintendent Dr. James Williams is one of five finalists to be the next superintendent of the Memphis City School District.
He answered questions Thursday for the first time about his intentions.
Williams said, "Right now I'm not at a decision making point because you have to have the right fit..."
Kristin Donnelly asks, "Do you want to leave?"
Williams answers, "No, here's what I want in Buffalo I want this community to wake up and work for children."
Donnelly asks, "If they offer you the job will you seriously consider it?"
Williams answers, "Then I have a choice," he continued, "Any my choice is I have a contract through 2011. I'm a seasoned Superintendent, very well respected in my profession."
Kristin Donnelly asks, "What do you say to the school board who says you have one foot out the door?"
Dr. Williams answers, "That's their opinion. I have not been on Tennessee soil, so my foot is not out the door. I say to the school board if you want me to stay, let's have a conversation make me feel appreciated as a board."
Thursday night, the school board also gave Williams his three year evaluation.
Through a spokesman, Williams says he was "pleased" with how it went.
School board member Ralph Hernandez says Williams did well.
The Memphis City School District put out a list of five people at its Tuesday night meeting. A district spokesperson says the district hired a firm to conduct the search. According to the spokesperson, Joanne Tuggers, interviews are tentatively being set up for next week.
A person for the firm hired by the Memphis School District to look for a superintendent, told Channel 2's Lynne Dixon that Williams' name came up during broad discussions of possible candidates, and that when contacted, Williams expressed interest in the job.
At a committee meeting, Wednesday, Dr. Williams read a statement.
Click here to read Dr. Williams statement.
Read a copy of Dr. Williams' contract
School Board members reacted to the news Wednesday, several saying they had not heard about this before today.
Ralph Hernandez says, "If you're the finalist in another city, that means to me that you've probably interviewed at least once or twice and this has been ongoing."
Kristin Donnelly asks, "So, what do you think this means?"
Hernandez answers, "It means that he wants to leave Buffalo, that's what it means to me."
Hernandez has been an putspoken critic of Dr. Williams, but even some of Williams' supporters were taken aback by the news.
Chris Jacobs says, "It did kick me back on my heels that he'd even consider it, but part of me does understand, but I wish he wouldn't have done it and I do feel like I was punched in the stomach today."
Mary Ruth Kapsiak, School Board President, says she talked to Williams about it.
"I said to him, you're not planning on leaving Buffalo, he said no I have no intention on leaving Buffalo."
Williams has been the Superintendent of the Buffalo Public Schools since 2005. This year the school district has been involved in different investigations at several of its schools. Kristin Donnelly asks, "Do you think all the controversy with McKinley and the Discovery School, do you think that plays into all this?"
Chris Jacobs answers, "Absolutely, I think being an urban superintendent on a good day is one of the toughest jobs."
Mary Ruth Kapsiak, "Based on some things happening in Buffalo recently, if I were in his position, I would do the same thing."
WGRZ-TV
