School Committee Orders Discipline Data By Race
The Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee voted 8-0, with one abstention, to order three years of student discipline data broken down by race, income and disability. Committee member Bridget cited prior findings that Black students face suspension rates roughly four times those of white students.
School Committee · Meeting of September 8, 2026
AMHERST — The Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee voted 8-0, with one abstention, to order three years of student discipline data broken down by race, income and disability. Committee member Bridget cited prior findings that Black students face suspension rates roughly four times those of white students. The panel also heard Vertex project manager Mark Whitman defend delays to the Amherst Regional Middle School roof project, which pushed the school's opening to August 31, saying the team "took 10 pounds of work and stuffed it into a five-pound bag." Business official Shannon reported the project remains within its roughly $400,000 contingency.
Public commenters, including Allie Wicks of Lynn, pressed the committee on protections for LGBTQIA+ volunteers following a dismissed harassment-prevention order filed against one volunteer last spring. A separate 3-6 vote rejected forming a subcommittee to plan the search for a new superintendent, with members split over whether the teachers' union should hold a seat.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 4,788 words
Source: the School Committee meeting of September 8, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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