Letter: LGBTQIA+ and Black Caucuses Condemn Anonymous Attacks on School Superintendent

By Ali-Wicks-Lim for the ad hoc LGBTQIA+ Caucus of Amherst and
Lamikco Magee for the ad hoc Black Caucus of Amherst

An article in the Indy on November 8th references an anonymous letter that was mailed to school committee members and several Amherst residents, charging school superintendent Dr. E. Xiomara Herman (Dr. Xi) with not fulfilling her duties, fiscal impropriety, and mistreatment of staff. The following day the APEA issued a press release which strongly condemned the way in which the anonymous criticisms were leveled against the superintendent. The LGBTQIA+, and Black Caucuses also condemn these tactics.

The complaints in question are both anonymous and non-specific, which makes it difficult to imagine what they could accomplish besides undermining Dr. Xi’s new leadership. Any new leader is going to represent change and change can be difficult, especially in a town that seems to have a vice grip on maintaining the status quo. There are healthy and effective strategies for raising concerns and advocating positions. We have found Dr. Xi to be responsive to requests for meetings and to direct asks and dialogue related to policy or district priorities. Targeting individuals with anonymous and threatening messages and breaching their privacy are tactics we cannot support. 

When differences arise, we support any community member in seeking an opportunity to be heard, in requesting an explanation for something that doesn’t make sense to them, and in advocating for change they feel is needed. This anonymous letter accomplished none of those things, but it was not without impact. The author(s) of this letter chose to widely share a threatening slam letter containing personal attacks and privacy violations. These types of tactics take a real, human toll on anyone targeted by them or receiving them. Perhaps more importantly though, they reveal deep insidious sexism and racism. From what the caucuses have witnessed and experienced, Dr. Xi has been more accessible, transparent and accountable in her first 100 days than anyone before her. For many of us it was nearly impossible to get a response to an email, let alone a meeting or an interview, with previous district leadership. It sure feels like the first Black woman Superintendent we’ve hired is being held to a different standard than the people who held the same role before her. 

Unlike in previous hiring processes, there was a long and thoughtful vetting process when Dr. Xi was hired for the position of superintendent. She was chosen because she was the candidate who most has what it takes to bring the change that is needed for Amherst, Pelham, and the Region. The status quo and the leadership upholding it were not serving ARPS students, and Dr. Xi inherited a system that had been unaccountable for a long time. She has only been here for four months. Can we give her a little time and ask questions instead of casting accusations? 

Dr. Xi has repeatedly expressed her commitment to putting children first. We do not see that commitment in the tactics of those who have raised these complaints. What would be best for the children of ARPS is for adults to have the difficult conversations face to face and build a path forward in collaboration with Dr. Xi instead of sowing more division during what is already a very difficult time.

Ali-Wicks-Lim for the ad hoc LGBTQIA+ Caucus of Amherst
Lamikco Magee for the ad hoc Black Caucus of Amherst