A tearful goodbye marks the end of Doctor Joseph Burke's seven years in office. During that time Dr. Burke cites student improvement as one of his greatest achievements, particularly when it comes to Springfield's large minority population.

"Just in the area of math, there's a 67 percent increase for African American students, and a 90 percent increase for Hispanic students," says Dr. Burke.

To continue that improvement Dr. Burke says it will require increased parent involvement and teacher's determined to make a difference.

"Teacher leadership and teacher ownership is very very important for what happens in our schools," says Dr. Burke. "We've created the conditions for that to grow."

Conditions that have been improved through increased cooperation with the teacher's union. In his final days in office Burke attempted to start contract negotiations with the union, an attempt that was blocked by the Finance Control Board.

"I think when you don't stay competitive and you fall behind it's not a good thing," says Dr. Burke. "This is an urban school setting and we have to have our salaries competitive."

Burke says he is baffled by the Control Board's attempts to overstep the School Committee in this and other issues, including his own failed contract negotiations.

"It seems odd to me that the control board would be letting go of the budget to a certain degree, yet trying to take more control of the schools," says Dr. Burke. "Which was not their mandate when they came in."

A battle Burke says needs to be settled to allow the new superintendent to thrive. As for his future, Burke says he will take some time off, before returning to a job he is dedicated to.

"Certainly for me I want to stay in education," says Dr. Burke. "I may go to another superintendency in Florida or in Massachusetts. But I am looking at several options."