Letter: More Clarifications On Teachers’ Union Charges Of Retaliation

by Laurie Hickson and 20 others

With respect to the article: Teachers Union Alleges Retaliation (1/24/22) (see also online posting of the previous day), we would like to address statements made regarding the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year at Fort River Elementary.  The accounting of events that led to Nyanyika Banda’s resignation include misstatements that need to be corrected.

As current and former Fort River staff, we were active participants in the meetings referenced. When the subject of COVID-19 safety was addressed by former principal, Michelle Hernandez, during our initial staff meeting, Ms. Banda, our building substitute teacher and an integral staff member, openly expressed her concerns that the COVID-19 safety culture of Amherst was not reflected in these protocols. Many staff members shared these worries and were surprised that the protocols had been mitigated over the summer. There were several attempts by concerned staff members to discuss the changes with Ms. Hernandez. We were told these were “district protocols” and we needed to move on with the agenda. Ms. Banda did not “interrupt” Ms. Hernandez’s presentation.  She did repeatedly ask for clarity about COVID-19 protocols and expressed confusion. Her question as quoted in the Gazette, “Are you even from here?” was asked when she sought further clarification from Ms. Hernandez. Ms. Banda actually asked, “Are you from Amherst?” At Fort River and throughout Amherst schools, staff members have been encouraged by most administrators to voice their perspectives and concerns. Ms. Banda’s frustration at having her concerns minimized, resulted in her asking Ms. Hernandez if she understood that communicating concerns was part of the culture of Amherst. 

Furthermore, those of us tasked with note-taking at the referenced meetings have no record of Ms. Banda stating that Ms. Hernandez “did not represent the voice of Latinos…”  It is notable that Ms. Banda apologized to both Ms. Hernandez and to Fort River staff, saying that she saw this situation as an opportunity for growth and saw the “community of Fort River as diverse, divergent and inclusive”. Nyanyika Banda’s presence, talent and perspective are missed at Fort River to this day, and she is someone who made our school better.

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).

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