I have been deeply disturbed to read of the ongoing disputes between the Amherst-Pelham Regional School Board and former Superintendent Maria Geryk.
As a Pelham resident who has had two children pass through this school system, I find the assertions of some members of the board about the system’s culture and Ms. Geryk’s role in shaping it to be entirely contradicted by my experience.Since board members’ complaints seem solely to concern matters of racial justice and equality, I should make a few things clear. I am a white man. My children are white. While I’m certain that I, therefore, cannot fully comprehend the experience of persons of color in American society today, I do most certainly acknowledge that there are substantial biases against them in our national culture and that includes the culture of our own community.
That being accepted, I cannot imagine a school community that does more to expose and attempt to address those biases than the Amherst-Pelham School District.
An incident at the Pelham Elementary School involving persons of color inflamed passions in our community. The event seems to have triggered all that has transpired between Ms. Geryk and the board.
In reading coverage of this event, I have yet to see a full account of the circumstances leading to Ms. Geryk’s actions. Lack of facts has not stopped members of the community and, most unfortunately, some members of the board, from castigating Ms. Geryk for actions which may or may not have been justified.
Given the vitriol with which she has been publicly attacked by certain board members, is it surprising that she feels she can no longer work under their supervision? Her resignation seems a natural response to the hostile work environment resulting from the attacks. It is not surprising that she has contractual rights to severance payments and, given the situation, I believe she deserves them.
If people find fault with the expense to the school district, they should blame the school committee, most particularly those who publicly condemned the superintendent.
DONALD VERRASTRO
Pelham