AMHERST — In the wake of allegations of transphobic actions by counselors at Amherst Regional Middle School, Assistant Superintendent Doreen Cunningham is on administrative leave, pending the outcome of an ongoing Title IX investigation, according to a message from Acting Superintendent Douglas Slaughter.

Slaughter notified families late Monday afternoon of the decision to put Cunningham on leave.

“Based on concerns raised in recent days, Assistant Superintendent Doreen Cunningham has been placed on administrative leave pending the conclusion of the current Title IX investigation,” Slaughter wrote. “Since this is a personnel matter, no further information can be shared until the investigation is complete and the district receives the independent investigator’s final report.”

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 was potentially suicidal after intentionally being misgendered and misnamed by three employees. Three other staff members have been placed on leave amid the Title IX investigation.

Rallies have also been held in support of trans students and numerous members of the community spoke out last week at a public meeting, some calling for Cunningham to be fired and Superintendent Michael Morris, who is on a leave, to be investigated. Those actions came after The Graphic, the high school newspaper, printed a story detailing the allegations of transphobia that was happening at the middle school from employees who were hired by Cunningham.

Slaughter, the finance chief for the schools since January 2020, was named acting superintendent for the Amherst, Amherst-Pelham Regional and Pelham public schools on Thursday. Slaughter is in the role after 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.

The Amherst Pelham Education Association, the union representing teachers, paraeducators and clerical staff, took a vote of no confidence in Morris a day after he stepped aside and also called for Cunningham, the assistant superintendent for  Diversity, Equity and Human Resources, to resign her position.

But at a meeting last Tuesday, Cunningham said she wouldn’t be resigning, and instead planned to work through the issues.

“I am not resigning,” Cunningham said. “And I am looking to the possibility of working with the community to make the necessary changes.”

“Today is yet another dark day in the Amherst community, and I hope we can work together to bring our community jointly back to the light,” Cunningham said.

Slaughter’s message to families also offered hope for the final weeks of the school year.

“As the Districts’ Finance Director and an employee of ARPS for 17 years, I care deeply about our students, families and staff and am honored to serve in this role.  I look forward to working with everyone in the ARPS community to bring the 2022-2023 school year to a joyful conclusion that celebrates not just our students’ milestones, such as graduation, but also their countless daily successes and achievements.”

He referred anyone with concerns or additional information to Title IX Officer Marta Guevara at guevaram@arps.org or at 413-362-1871.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.]]>