AMHERST — Douglas Slaughter, the finance chief for the Amherst, Amherst-Pelham Regional and Pelham public schools for more than three years, will serve as acting superintendent for the school district, possibly through the end of September.

“I’m humbled and honored at their trust in me to move the district forward at this time,” Slaughter said, after the Amherst Regional School Committee and Superintendency Union 26 Committee voted Thursday evening to immediately name him to the position.

The change comes after Superintendent Michael Morris announced May 12 he was taking an indefinite medical leave, citing ongoing stress and alluding to mental health issues, with plans to return at some point. His announcement came in the wake of allegations of transphobic actions by counselors at the middle school, after which three staffers were placed on administrative leave.

A Title IX investigation was launched April 14 after a resident alleged her transgender child had been harmed by the actions of school employees, and rallies have been held in support of trans students.

Slaughter said there has been a lot of hurt and trauma in the community and that he and others in the district will work cooperatively to support students and staff and promote a healthy learning environment.

Amherst representative Peter Demling, who chairs the Union 26 committee, said he appreciates Slaughter’s willingness to step up to the role, adding that immediate action is expected. “I feel good about Doug moving the district forward in an authentic way,” Demling said.

Ben Herrington, who chairs the regional committee, also expressed confidence in Slaughter. “I’m relieved that we will have continuity due to Doug’s institutional knowledge,” Herrington said.

The process of repair will likely extend well beyond the term of acting superintendent, but it must start as soon as possible, Slaughter said.

“This will likely be an imperfect and lengthy process but I hope to be able to put the district on a path toward healing, focusing on the children first,” he said, adding that his work as acting superintendent will depend on a cooperative effort from everybody in the system.

Slaughter, who once served on the Amherst Select Board, will receive an additional $700 per week on top of his $112,000 annual salary through Sept. 30. Other terms of the contract will be negotiated by Herrington and Demling, with approval by the school committees by May 25.

Slaughter was selected over the others who had expressed interest — Trevor Baptiste, who has taught at the University of Massachusetts and formerly served on the School Committee, and Susan Hollins, a retired superintendent for the Greenfield schools.

The regional committee vote was 7-1 in favor, with Leverett representative Tilman Wolf, who supported Hollins, voting against, and Shutesbury representative Steve Sullivan, who supported Baptiste, abstaining.

The vote on the Union 26 committee, made up of three Amherst representatives and currently two Pelham representatives, with the third member, Ron Mannino, no longer serving due to Pelham’s town election this week, was 5-0.

Slaughter’s “bedrock experience” with the system swayed Amherst representative Irv Rhodes. “Doug is the best person for this job, for this time,” Rhodes said.

“He has the trust of many in the community,” said Amherst representative Allison McDonald.

That he already has a superintendent’s license showed foresight. “I think that says something positive about Dr. Slaughter,” said Pelham representative Margaret Stancer.

“I think Doug Slaughter will be an excellent acting superintendent,” said Pelham representative Sarahbess Kenney.

Kenney noted that Slaughter, from 2008 to 2019, served as assistant football coach for Amherst Regional and head football coach at Smith Vocational high schools. As a former high school athlete herself, Kenney said this shows how Slaughter interacts with students.

Slaughter said student-athletes often observe how adults behave and model themselves after them. “Whether conscious or not, they’re taking it in,” Slaughter said.

Support for Hollins

Hollins, though, received significant support in both oral and written comments, and Baptiste was also endorsed by others.

But Amherst representative Jennifer Shiao said she couldn’t vote for a candidate in Hollins whom none of the members of either panel knew.

“None of us have met her, or talked to her. I can’t support her as acting superintendent,” Shiao said.

Demling agreed that that was too much of a risk, but expanded that to anyone from outside the district. “In this case (the search) is so compressed the risk is much higher,” Demling said. “I’m not willing to roll the dice on someone I don’t already have high confidence in their abilities.”

In his vote, Wolf disagreed, calling Hollins the one with experience.

William Scherr of Pelham said Hollins was the strongest candidate outside the administration, and Emily Jones, a paraeducator at the schools, described being “blown away” by Hollins. “I think we would be well led by this person at this time,” Jones said.

Allegra Clark, a parent of a Wildwood School student, said she was impressed by how Baptiste handled a situation with a student several years ago. “From my perspective, he did well to get that student’s needs met,” Clark said. Kara Nye, the school’s band director, characterized Baptiste as exceptionally kind and ready to tackle problems.

The entire process came under criticism from others. “I would not use this process to even hire a babysitter for my two kids,” said Ali Wicks-Lim of Montague.

Amy Kalman, a speech language pathologist in the schools, said the search process “feels reactionary” and that it was unfortunate to be so quick.

In initiating the discussion, though, Shiao said, “We’re appointing an acting, hopefully for a very short time.”

Herrington, too, explained that the district can’t go any longer without a leader. “I’ll tell you flat out, it’s dangerous to not have a superintendent in place,” Herrington said.

Some members used the opportunity to express support and sorrow for the trans community. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea,” Stancer said, to applause from those in the high school library.

Rhodes, too, said the committees need to show all children that they are fully loved, cared for and accepted, as foundations of education.

Demling said he wasn’t aware of the Title IX investigation previously. “School Committee members do not get notified about Title IX investigations,” he said, while pledging to release and act on the contents of the final report when it is made.

Herrington also issued a statement that he is an ally against transphobia and homophobia. “To those who harbor feelings of ill intent towards any of our children, simply for being born as they are and recognizing who they are, you are not welcome here,” Herrington said.

All school building leaders in the district issues a similar statement.

“And to our LGBTQIA+ students and families, we pledge our unconditional, unwavering support and solidarity. Our actions must speak louder than our words in support of our LGBTQIA+ community, who have been continually marginalized and oppressed.”

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