EASTHAMPTON — One of the two women whom superintendent finalist Vito Perrone addressed as “ladies” in an email last week is seeking to distance herself from mudslinging that has erupted after the news broke last weekend.

“I want to be clear, I am a Lady,” executive assistant Suzanne Colby wrote in a public Facebook post on April 5. “I appreciate being called such and I appreciate being treated as such. To me, the word represents respect. I am not offended by the word or term, HOWEVER, I am respectful to those who may be offended by the word or term. Those of you who know me, know how important it is to ME to be respectful of ALL individuals.”

Colby noted that her name and title were used in the email from Perrone for procedural purposes during contract negotiations last week. She requested that everyone refrain from defaming her name, reputation and character for something she did not say, nor have a say in.

The controversy flared up not long after the School Committee offered Perrone the superintendent position on March 24 and entered into contract negotiations the following week. Perrone said he addressed an email to Colby and School Committee Chairperson Cynthia Kwiecinski using the word “ladies.” According to Perrone, the committee took issue with his use of the word and was the reason they rescinded the job last Thursday.

Since then, public support for Perrone has been especially vocal.

“It is overwhelming,” Perrone told the Gazette on Wednesday. “It has certainly turned into more than me sharing the truth with the people of Easthampton.”

Moving forward, Perrone has stated that he is speaking with a lawyer and will be stepping back from discussing the incident.

Parents in the community, as well as current and past students, teachers and school district staff have taken to social media platforms, email and a public protest that was attended by more than 150 people to voice concerns over the decision and how Perrone was allegedly treated.

Some comments on social media have turned vitriolic, with some defaming the character and reputation of those on the School Committee as well as Colby, who does not contribute to the substance of the committee’s meetings.

Colby, who has been an employee for the school district for the last 27 years and is not a voting member of the School Committee nor an elected official, has gotten tangled in the crosshairs.

The city of Easthampton also issued a press advisory clarifying that Colby attends all School Committee meetings only to take minutes as required by state law. As part of her role, she asks “only clarifying questions to document for the public record properly,” the release stated.

State Sen. John Velis, D-Westfield, who attended Monday’s protest, also issued a statement after hearing from constituents on the matter.

“If the allegations are true that the incoming Easthampton Superintendent had his offer rescinded solely due to the way he addressed an email, then things have gone too far. This appears to be an over-the-top and disproportionate response to something that, if nothing else, could have been used as a teachable moment. Enough is enough,” Velis said.

“One person’s perceived microaggression is how another person was brought up to politely and respectfully speak to women. If this was indeed the only issue, this was an opportunity to learn and grow as a community, not to tear down and divide.”

The city’s other state politician, Rep. Dan Carey, declined comment on Wednesday.

At this point, no member of the School Committee has publicly addressed what did or did not happen at a March 31 executive session where the contract was expected to be negotiated. Kwiecinski previously told the Gazette that she could not comment on an executive session.

Well-being check

Some residents are raising questions about the circumstances surrounding the March 24 executive session, as well as who requested a well-being check on Perrone, a Westhampton resident, after he did not answer his phone when School Committee members called at 12:30 a.m. to offer him the job initially.

According to the Easthampton Police Department, a call came into the city’s dispatch at 11:53 p.m. on March 23 requesting the well-being check.

A city police officer responded to Perrone’s address after midnight, made contact with him and reported that the “party is all set,” according to the city’s police log records.

At this point, it is still unclear who actually made this call.

Emily Thurlow can be reached at ethurlow@gazettenet.com.]]>