APEA Responds to Gazette Article on Rift with Rank and File

In response to 2/11/25 article in the Daily Hampshire Gazette “Amherst schools’ rank-and-file elementary union members break with leaders over support of superintendent”

The Amherst Pelham Education Association’s (APEA) Executive Board respects the right of the membership to organize and express their opinions on issues that matter to them. APEA members may come to the APEA Representative Council to request all members vote on an issue by making a motion. However, neither the APEA Executive Board nor the Representative Council were informed about the desire to hold a vote about district leadership.  The Representative Council did not approve of or hold such a vote. The vote allegedly taken by the membership, circumvented established democratic processes to ensure fairness, inclusion, and confidentiality of all members.