From Other Sources: News for and About Amherst.  This Week: Local News Roundup

Here are links to some local stories from the last week or so that we were unable to cover in the Indy.

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Local News Roundup
Title IX Report: Amherst School Leaders Failed Students over LGBTQ+ Bullying by Scott Merzbach (11/22/23). Amherst Regional Public School leaders failed to adequately protect LGBTQ+ students from bullying and harassment by classmates and staff members, and allowed offensive conduct by at least one employee to continue despite multiple complaints, according to completed Title IX reports and other associated investigatory reports released publicly on Friday.  Additionally, the investigation found that “a culture of fear and intimidation” and racial tensions appeared to permeate the school district. “Sufficient credible evidence exists to support the allegation that ARPS officials failed to appropriately respond to and effectively address allegations of harassment and misconduct by staff toward students based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression,” reads a section of the main 94-page Title IX report by Edward Mitnick, CEO of Just Training Solutions in Springfield. (Amherst Bulletin)

Title IX Report Slams Amherst’s Response to Harassment of LGBTQ+ Students by Jackson Cote (11/18/23).  An investigation report released to the public Friday determined Amherst-Pelham Regional Public Schools (ARPS) failed to effectively address claims of harassment and misconduct by middle school staff against LGBTQ+ students. The report stated there were specific incidents of the school district failing to take appropriate action in response to allegations of staff engaging in anti-LGBTQ+ conduct against students at Amherst Regional Middle School (ARMS). The document also noted there is a “culture of fear and intimidation” at the middle school that is “severe and pervasive” and causes employees to hesitate or be unwilling to report inappropriate conduct of other staff toward students due to concerns about retaliation. “Sufficient credible evidence exists to support the allegation that ARPS officials failed to appropriately respond to and effectively address allegations of harassment and misconduct by staff toward students based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression,” the report stated. (MassLive)

Report Finds LGBTQ Students at Amherst Middle School Were Mistreated by Adam Frenier (11/22/23).School officials in Amherst, Massachusetts, are looking at next steps. That’s after an independent investigation found LGBTQ students at the regional middle school were mistreated.The report, which was made public last week, found some counselors at the school misgendered students, and that school officials failed to address harassment and bullying, by other students and staff members. It went on to say some employees were hesitant to report the misconduct because of a quote “culture of fear and intimidation.” A member of the Amherst Regional School Committee, Jennifer Shiao, said she was “distraught, upset and surprised” by the report’s findings. She said as the district moves forward, there should be a particular emphasis. “There’s been a lot of focus on adults and adult actions and on protecting adults, but really what we all need to be doing is protecting students and focusing on what’s best for students,” Shiao said. (WBUR)

Amherst Regional School District Getting Staff Aligned on Gender, Sexual Orientation by Scott Merzbach (11/22/23). Two trainings focused on improving staff knowledge of gender identity and sexual orientation, including a full day of professional development with presentations and workshops, are part of the Amherst-Pelham Regional school district’s efforts to improve the school climate and support for LGBTQIA+ youth.The trainings come in the wake of transphobic actions by former counselors at the middle school substantiated in a recently released Title IX report. They are being led, in part, by the Safe Schools Program for LGBTQ Students, a program developed with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth, and a partnership with the Stonewall Center at the University of Massachusetts. (Amherst Bulletin)

Annual March With Monte Raises $458k for Food Bank of Western Massachusetts by Mary Byrne (11/22/23). Two days and 43 miles of walking later, more than $450,000 has been raised for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts — a number that translates to roughly 1.5 million meals for people in need, according to Executive Director Andrew Morehouse. “Despite being in relatively severe pain in my legs, I feel rejuvenated by the power of community,” Morehouse said outside Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center on Tuesday evening, marking the end of the trek. “It’s the theme for tonight. … When I look back at a crowd of over 100 people who walked 26 miles today and probably another 60 [people] yesterday, it’s very humbling to know how much people care about their neighbors in need.”As of 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, $458,000 had been raised, according to Christopher “Monte” Belmonte, the radio personality who launched the fundraiser in 2010 while working at WRSI 93.9 The River. (Daily Hampshire Gazette)

Neighbors Come out Against Pickleball Courts at Amherst’s Kiwanis Park by Scott Merzbach (11/23/23). Planned pickleball courts at Kiwanis Park on Stanley Street are running into opposition from residents who live in a nearby neighborhood, with some expressing concern they weren’t consulted in advance of town officials settling on the location for the project.“What surprises me about this issue with pickleball is the process,” Carlos Turriago of Willow Lane told the Community Preservation Act Committee Thursday. “Decisions have been made, and we were not invited to talk or be informed about this, the community at large.” The committee is beginning to review a series of spending requests from the CPA account, with $100,000 sought for pickleball courts to supplement $120,000 previously appropriated. The initial request was brought by a group called Friends of Pickleball, with the idea that the three courts would be located at Mill River Recreation Area in North Amherst. (Amherst Bulletin)

Students Gather in Support of Endowment Tax Bill by Daniel Frank (11/21/23). At noon on Nov. 17, over a dozen people gathered at Amherst Commons near Amherst College to rally in favor of House Bill 2824, which would put a tax on certain private university endowments. Participants, primarily Amherst College students, heard speeches from community members and student leaders during the gathering. The event was organized by the Public Higher Education Network of Massachusetts (PHENOM) and the Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) groups in the Five College area. The bill would put a tax of 2.5 percent on private endowments, at schools with endowment assets more than $1 million. All proceeds would be placed in a new fund called the Educational Opportunity for All Trust Fund, which would be used to subsidize “the cost of higher education, early education and child care for lower-income and middle-class residents of the Commonwealth.” (Massachusetts Daily Collegian)

Amherst Burger to Close. Will Repopen in New Year Under New Ownership by Scott Merzbach (11/20/23).  A burger and ice cream restaurant opened last spring by an Amherst developer in a downtown building he owns is closing this week, a casualty of lacking an owner with expertise in the hospitality industry and reflecting challenges facing businesses, including having enough staff, said Gabrielle Gould, executive diirector of the Amherst Business Improvement District. Amherst Burger Co., at 104 North Pleasant St., will serve its last meals on Tuesday, with the restaurant likely remaining closed through the end of the year, but then reopening as it is retooled under new ownership. (Daily Hampshire Gazette)

Grassroots Organinzing Sweeps New Faces into Greenfield City Government by Dusty Christensen (11/16/23). Organizing around issues, not candidates, proved a winning strategy for longstanding community groups in last week’s elections. (The Shoestring)

Advocates Back Legislation Seeking More Local Control over Large Scale Solar Projects by Bella Levavi (11/19/23). Local residents recently shared their opinions with the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government on proposed legislation that would allow for more local control over large-scale solar projects. S.1319/H.2082, “An Act Regarding Municipal Zoning Powers,” attempts to give more local power over the regulation of large-scale ground-mounted solar developments. It was filed by state Sen. Jacob Oliveira, D-Ludlow, state Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, and state Rep. Paul McMurtry, D-Dedham. If signed into law, the bills would eliminate language from Chapter 40A, Section 3 of the Massachusetts General Laws. Specifically, the following sentence would be removed: “No zoning ordinance or bylaw shall prohibit or unreasonably regulate the installation of solar energy systems or the building of structures that facilitate the collection of solar energy, except where necessary to protect the public health, safety or welfare.” (Daily Hampshire Gazette)

Sitting Easthampton School Committee Members Prevail by Maddie Fabian (11//8/23) Tuesday’s election drew about 22% of the city’s registered voters, who reelected incumbents Megan Harvey, 1,668 votes; and Ben Hersey, 1,749 votes; as well as Sam Hunter, 1,703 votes; and Laura Scott, 1,750 votes. The latter two were appointed by the City Council to replace the two members quit amid the spring controversy. The two newcomers joining the School Committee are Linda Markee, 1,506 votes; and Eric Guyette, 1,500 votes. Markee and Guyette narrowly edged out candidate Timothy St. John, who had 1,492 votes.  “I know that the four people who have been serving the school board having nothing but the best interest for all,” Markee said Wednesday morning.“I think the Easthampton voters were ready to vote for what they felt was going to be the best interest of the children in our community,” she said. A former teacher and manager of two small businesses, Markee said she wants to foster a “positive, caring, compassionate community.” (Daily Hampshire Gazette)