AMHERST — Following a performance evaluation that gave her mostly proficient ratings in meeting various standards set by the state’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and her own goals, Amherst-Pelham Superintendent E. Xiomara Herman is receiving a revised contract that will boost her annual salary above $180,000.
Both the nine-member Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee, with representatives from Amherst, Pelham, Shutesbury and Leverett, and the Union 26 Committee, with three Amherst and three Pelham representatives, unanimously approved the revised contract, through a memorandum of agreement, at a meeting June 30. The revisions provide a 2.5% increase in pay, with Herman to be paid $180,912 after earning $176,500 in her first year in the position.
The vote came after both the Amherst-Pelham Regional and Amherst school committees reviewed Herman’s first year on the job, grading her on four standards set by DESE, instructional leadership; management operations; family communication and engagement; and professional culture, and four goals she set, strategic planning and budget alignment; operational efficiency, data management and equity; healing, stabilization and community trust; and professional culture, operational systems and conflict resolution.
For the Regional Committee, seven members gave Herman overall ratings, with six rating her proficient and one needs improvement. For the overall rating by the Amherst School Committee, four of five members rated her as proficient and one needs improvement.
Among the comments in the summary evaluations was that Herman had set too ambitious goals, though members praised her for putting in place systems and structures that are supporting a stronger professional culture, especially at the regional schools.
“Overall, the superintendent’s efforts are laying the foundation for a more supportive and reflective professional environment,” the evaluation reads.
Herman got praise for outreach to families, including the adjustments at the Family Center that bring personnel out of the office at the middle school to the four elementary schools, from one member. “Dr. Xi and her team maintain excellent communication with families, including prompt notification about urgent matters and regular updates on a range of issues. She and her team appear to be very available to parent groups. I think moving Family Center staff into elementary schools fosters quicker communication with families.”
But she faced critiques, as well. “The social-emotional climate has not improved as much as hoped,” one member wrote. “There is still a divisive culture with significant racial tensions, and a continuing bias against the LGBTQ+ (esp trans) community.”
And there are worries that bad feelings among some staff are pervasive.
“The conflict between administrators and administrators and teachers and teachers at times threatened all the good work underway. It is key that the team become more cohesive and connected for the betterment of all our schools.”
Herman previously provided an overview of her year to the committees, writing that she had focused on operational and structural realignment with the goal of creating conditions in which teaching and learning can thrive.
“If I can spend the next two years reinforcing our governance systems — solidifying routines, deepening our shared values, and aligning our structures — then in my fourth year I will be ready to fully return to the core of our mission: instruction, teaching and learning. That is where I want to lead. But we must build the road first. And that is what this year has been about.
Having the reviews done and the input is reassuring, Herman said, and she is grateful. “I know it allows for us to go up from here,” Herman said.
Herman said her growth as a leader will allow the system to grow.
“I think for me feedback is valuable, the only thing I can do is grow,” Herman said.
Regional School Committee Chairwoman Sarahbess Kenney of Pelham thanked Herman for her hard work and dedication, and looks forward to creating a healthy and sustainable district together.
Shutesbury representative Anna Heard said the needs improvement rating in some of the standards and goals only means more work has to be done.
“That nobody said anything about being unsatisfactory, I think, is excellent and good progress,” Heard said.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
