ONONDAGA COUNTY, N.Y. -- School board meetings don't often end in applause, but emotions were running high in the Onondaga Central School District Tuesday night as the departure of Superintendent Joe Rotella became apparent.

The school board finalized a retirement incentive offer to Rotella, which he is planning to accept, and retire at the end of August.

Despite anger and frustration from some residents who feel he's being forced out, Rotella says he is proud of the work he's accomplished in his six years at Onondaga.

"It's certainly as you saw, very difficult to walk away from as many successes as we've had here at OCS. We've come a long way, we've got a long way to go so change is difficult, but it is very difficult and I thank the board for the opportunity," Rotella said.

In his time at the district, graduation rates have risen from 72 percent to over 90 percent. Rotella also says he's proud to leave the schools in a very stable financial situation.