Search for ARMS Principal Curtailed. Finalist Charges Discrimination
Photo: amherstma.gov
The Amherst Regional Public Schools have curtailed their search for a new principal at the Amherst Regional Middle School (ARMS) following interviews with three finalists, March 19–21.
Earlier this week (April 24), Interim Superintendent Doug Slaughter notified parents by email that the principal search had been curtailed and that the search will resume after a new superintendent is hired (see below). MassLive, reports that prior to declaring a failed search, Slaughter offered the job to an unnamed candidate who declined the offer.
Subsequently, he announced Dr. Michael Sullivan will serve as interim ARMS principal beginning July 1. Sullivan is the former superintendent of the Gill-Montague School District and has been serving as a consultant to the district’s HR office.
The three finalists in the failed search were:
Lamicko Magee — Dean of Students at ARMS
Gina Fasoli Figueroa —longtime educator and administrator in the Greenfield Public Schools
Susan Gilson — Assistant Superintendent in the King Philip Regional School District. (Gilson is also a finalist for superintendent of the Amherst–Pelham Regional School District (see also here)
A fourth finalist, Sean McNiff — principal at Normandin Middle School in New Bedford — withdrew before the interview process.
Magee Amends Complaint Against District
Magee filed a discrimination lawsuit against the district on April 5 and recently amended it to include claims of discrimination and retaliation in the ARMS search. Magee was the only internal candidate and the only person of color being considered. Her lawyer, civil rights attorney Arnold J. Lizana III, said that Slaughter’s decision to cancel the search after a white candidate declined the position was a retaliatory action against Magee: “We were not surprised by the latest act of retaliation against Ms. Magee as the District has repeatedly demonstrated an inclination to violate her civil rights at every opportunity. As a first tier finalist, Magee should have been offered the position, once the less qualified white candidate declined it.”
In her lawsuit Magee names the Amherst Regional Public Schools, former Amherst Superintendent Michael Morris, current Interim Superintendent Doug Slaughter, and former Assistant Superintendent and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Doreen Cunningham as defendants.
The district had indicated that it would announce its decision in the search weeks ago. Magee learned about the failed search on social media on April 18 but was not informed by the district until April 24.
Magee served as the president of the Amherst Pelham Education Association, the faculty and staff union, from November 2020 to June 2023.
The full amended complaint can be found here.
See additional reporting in MassLive here.
The email announcement from Slaughter follows:
Dear ARPS Community: Thank you to everyone who participated in the ARMS Principal search, particularly to those who provided invaluable input and feedback regarding the finalists. After much contemplation, and given that the School Committee is in the final stages of hiring a permanent Superintendent, I have made the decision not to appoint a permanent ARMS principal at this time. This will allow the new Superintendent to oversee the search and appoint a candidate they believe will help implement their vision for the school and the district as a whole, while best supporting ARMS students, families and staff. In the meantime, Dr. Michael Sullivan has agreed to serve as the interim ARMS principal beginning July 1. Dr. Sullivan has extensive, local leadership experience as a Middle School Principal, Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent. He will bring a wealth of knowledge, an understanding of the area and the unique aspects of regional schools, and a fresh perspective to the needs of the middle school. I look forward to working with Dr. Sullivan in the Interim Principal role and know the ARMS community will join me in welcoming him. Douglas Slaughter Interim Superintendent |
Retaliation and discrimination indeed! Mika Magee is the middle school principal we need – a highly qualified, caring, dedicated member of ARMS. With all her experience and knowledge of what goes on in our schools, she still wants to stay and contribute! Let’s stop the principalship revolving door at the middle school! I will keep asking: why are we paying taxes in Amherst???
Not knowing all the history, it makes sense to me to allow the new superintendent the opportunity to hire staff – a major component of the position. Also, I’m concerned that a candidate decided the best way to forward their candidacy was through a legal suit, which pulls dollars away from education.