The Gazette news story headline read, “Geryk payout colors start of school year.”
Unfortunately, that is a misrepresentation of the facts as I have read them in this paper. The headline should read, “School Committee conflict and chaos color start of school year.”
After reading all of your coverage it slowly became clear to me that Superintendent Maria Geryk chose to leave as a result of questionable behavior on the school committee (her bosses).
As an former member of the Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee, I know that in general, staff often win what they are seeking if they are forced to sue – so the amount that was finally agreed to seems very reasonable.
Reading your story keeps the focus on Geryk (who is gone) and her shortcomings, as opposed to on the elected School Committee, which remains in place.
The committee needs to figure out a way to work productively together to save the schools. What kind of new superintendent would walk into such a mess?
All the parents and all the voters need to pressure members of the committee to find civil ways to work together for the sake of the children.
They will need that civility to choose and support their new superintendent. I hold great empathy for the tasks ahead.
Tom Wolff
Leverett