HOUSTON -- After nearly five years as HISD Superintendent, Dr. Abelardo Saavedra said his farewells on Monday, KPRC Local 2 reported.

Aug. 31 was Saavedra's final day on the job. He announced his retirement earlier this year.

"(It's) somewhat bitter sweet, certainly. I'm excited about relaxing a little bit, spending more time with my family, but at the same time, so much is still left undone," he said.

Saavedra told KPRC Local 2 that he leaves with a sense of accomplishment, but the work is never done.

"Children have different needs, so sometimes some need and require more resources, and so I think the issues of pockets of inequity that still exist within the system still need to be addressed," he said.

Saavedra said he is most proud of developing a measurement of student academic growth model that worked with performance pay for educators. It's a program that some still consider controversial.

"That changed the culture more than anything else," he said.

As Saavedra caps off a 36-year career, his likely replacement is Dr. Terry Grier from the San Diego Unified School District. Grier is the lone finalist for HISD's top job.

"To tell you the truth, I think he's somewhat similar to me in style. He pushes hard. I can tell that he does. He might spend a bit more time in the community and I think that's good," Saavedra said. "I'm asking that the community stand behind him and work with him for the betterment of our system."

The HISD school board selected Grier as the sole finalist for the job on Aug. 20.

Due to state law, the board has to wait about another week to officially hire him.