Letter: Correction Offered For Gazette Story On APEA Allegation Of Retaliation

by Ruth Killough-Hill and 21 others

With respect to the article: Teachers Union Alleges Retaliation (1/24/22) published in the Daily Hampshire Gazette on 1/24/22 (see also online posting of the previous day), we would like to address statements made with regard to what occurred at Fort River Elementary at the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year.  The accounting of events leading to Lani Blechman’s placement on administrative leave, include misstatements that need to be corrected.

Based on staff’s concerns regarding COVID-19 protocols for the 2021-2022 school year, several members of the Fort River staff, including Lani Blechman, asked former administrator, Michelle Hernandez, to form a COVID-19 guidance committee for our school. Ms. Hernandez approved of, and served on that committee. We discussed and reviewed district and CDC guidelines and successfully came to an agreement about what safety protocols we would implement at our school.  As Ms. Hernandez wrote on the document: “Fort River Staff are encouraged to add to the BEST PRACTICES column as you come up with new, great ways to support our students in Covid Safety. Approved by Principal Michelle Hernandez.”  The Gazette article further states that Ms. Blechman created her own pandemic document and suggests she was “disruptive” to a professional development program, neither of which occurred. She was a collaborative committee member and did not work outside committee parameters on any other guidelines.

In addition, after the district provided water bottles for all students during our 2020-2021 school year because water fountain use was not permitted, Ms. Blechman asked for additional water bottles, to provide to new students or to those who had lost theirs.  In keeping with this example of Ms. Blechman’s care for the Fort River community, she was the recipient of the 2021-2022 ARPS Community Building Award for her outreach work to students, families, and staff during the extended school closure.

The accusation that somehow Ms. Blechman was bullying or retaliatory toward staff members who were asked to share their experience with those investigating these incidents is the antithesis of who she is. Lani Bechman has always been, and continues to be a supportive, inclusive, and courageous educator who seeks equity for all and champions the diverse perspectives of our students and staff. We treasure her.

Editor’s Note: According to the Amherst Pelham Education Association, a full hearing by the Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations of the union’s charges against the district will occur October 3, 2023 (as reported in MassLive).

Ruth Killough-Hill
Kristen Rhodes
Heather Krasner
Patricia Lagrant
Fances Lonergan
Pam Barsalou
Camela Moskin
Rashmi Sheel
Grace Gustafson
Kyle Arena
Manny Wineman
Krista Rondeau
Dan Bodkin
Vera Goodwin-Brown
Pat Nietupski
Kaileigh Kaizer
Zac Early
Anthony Principe
Donnell Kennedy
Meghan Carroll
Jill Skowronek
Jessica Rudnik