AMHERST — Some teachers are calling out what they term inaccuracies and gaps in a recent report provided to the Amherst Regional School Committee that, in part, blamed frequent turnover of school leaders on a town culture of questioning decision-makers.
In a public statement provided at the Amherst School Committee meeting this week, the writers say they join Superintendent Michael Morris and committee members in being concerned about principals leaving. But they also say that the report from consultant Rick Rogers leaves out information and ignores behavior contributing to an “us versus them” culture.
“In addition to focusing on why administrators left, we need to look at the hiring process, and exactly how they were supported once they arrived,” reads the statement signed by Amherst teachers Trish Lagrant of Ware, Mangala Jagadeesh of Amherst, Laurie Hickson of Hardwick, Meka Magee of Belchertown and Claire Cocco of Amherst.
The Amherst Pelham Education Association, the union representing teachers and other staff, also issued a statement, posted to its Facebook page, that the contents of Rogers’ report “account for only some of the complex reasons behind recent administrative departures.”
The letter received by the School Committee argues that Rogers provides an inaccurate reflection of the principal hiring process that has been “interrupted, upended, or not fully followed” in many cases over the past decade.
“It has been unclear on many occasions whether the individual hired for a position had been fully vetted through a multi-step process, had missed some steps of the process but completed others, or was appointed by the superintendent after an ineffective search,” they write. “Increasing the transparency of the search process would go a long way toward increasing staff and family confidence in our leadership.”
In his report, completed through interviewing several principals who have left the district, Rogers recommends a series of strategies for holding onto building leaders, including strengthening mentor supports and having a process of community conversation.
Superintendent Michael Morris said Friday that the contents of the report have been shared with the district’s leadership team and that feedback is continuing on next steps and how to pursue the recommendations. Morris also anticipates that annual goals set by the school committee will include improving the support and experience of school leaders in the district.
Committee members hope to integrate the report’s recommendations into goals for both Morris and the district, said School Committee Chairwoman Allison McDonald. She added that the thoughts of the teachers who offered input are appreciated.
“As these teachers describe and as School Committee members expressed during our discussion of the report, it will take collaboration across our school community to effect these changes,” McDonald said.
The letter from teachers also notes worry that blaming community feedback for the exodus of leaders will minimize and discourage public discourse on educational decisions, and that such dialogue has always been valued in Amherst. The writers recommend making prospective principals aware that Amherst doesn’t have a top-down culture in the same way some districts do, and offering more help for leaders who may be caught by surprise at the level of input offered from teachers, staff, parents and guardians and others.
“If these school leaders are not prepared for a school culture that embraces discourse, it has proven to be very difficult for them to be successful in it. The responsibility for this preparation falls on our Central Office staff, and most importantly the superintendent and assistant superintendent, as part of their administrative on-boarding protocol.”
Those teachers also pledge to heal rifts that have developed: “The divisive comments of School Committee members and the language of this report continues to pit our dedicated and talented staff against the School Committee, against Central Office protocols and procedures, and against building administration.”
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
