AMHERST — Fort River Elementary School parents and caregivers, joined by members of the union representing teachers, are crying foul over a plan to move the building’s assistant principal to Amherst Regional Middle School, citing the loss of a voice for equity and social justice in the building that houses the district’s dual-language program.
“We wanted to express our deep concern and frustration regarding the announcement that Mr. Julio Fernandez will leave his position as assistant principal at Fort River Elementary,” said Marialuisa Di Stefano, one of 60 parents and caregivers who signed a letter delivered to Douglas Slaughter, the temporary superintendent.
Superintendent Michael Morris, before going on medical leave in May, announced the appointment of Amherst Regional High School Principal Talib Sadiq to oversee the middle school, where students in grades 7 and 8 from Amherst, Shutesbury, Pelham and Leverett are educated. That decision, following a failed search for a new middle school principal to succeed Diego Sharon, who is leaving July 1, included having Sadiq be joined by two interim assistant principals at the middle school, Fernandez and Rich Ferro, matching the two assistant principals at the high school, Miki Gromacki and Samantha Camera.
Di Stefano, speaking at a recent Amherst School Committee meeting, said the decision to have Fernandez take on a new role demonstrates a lack of real commitment to the dual-language Caminantes program, the school community, and equity and social justice values that should be at the front and center of the schools.
The parents’ letter is also a call for action: “We urge you to reconsider the ARPS leadership decision and to create an advisory board considering the educators and the families’ perspectives in Caminantes. We would be happy to provide further information upon request and meet with you and your team to further explore opportunities to strengthen our community.”
Di Stefano said people associated with Fort River are unhappy that families were not consulted, but were asked to provide support during the hiring process; that the decision dismantled the demographic process and silenced the voices of families; and that it could disrupt programs like Building Blocks, a school-based therapeutic program.
Ruth Killough-Hill, who works at Fort River and spoke on behalf Amherst Pelham Education Association’s representative council, said the leadership change is disrupting the stability of a school where Fernandez guided the school’s practices to align with the cultural diversity of the communities.
“The district removed the only bilingual and Latino administrator from Fort River, which houses the Caminantes dual-language program, and replaced him with a non-Spanish-speaking white administrator,” Killough-Hill said.
Killough-Hill also contends hiring practices across the district have destabilized schools and negatively impacted staff, students and schools, including making changes without dialogue with staff, without being transparent or collaborative, and using a closed-door process.