School Committee Rejects Superintendent Search Subcommittee
Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee rejected a superintendent transition subcommittee proposal amid Superintendent Dr. Xi's announced year-end departure, voting 3-6-0.
Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee · Meeting of October 20, 2026
Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee rejected a superintendent transition subcommittee proposal amid Superintendent Dr. Xi's announced year-end departure, voting 3-6-0. Moved by Anna Heard of Shutesbury, the motion received support from Chair William Sherr (Pelham) and Sarah Marshall (Amherst) but opposition from Vice Chair Bridget Hynes and Deb Leonard (Amherst), Andrew Hart (Amherst), Laura Jane Hunter (Amherst), Tim Shores (Leverett), and Sarahbess Kenney (Pelham).
Opponents cited concerns about Union 26's involvement, structure as a joint committee with town boards, potential conflicts of interest if subcommittee members later sought the superintendent position, and quorum matters. The committee also voted 8-0-1 to direct the Superintendent to present three-year discipline data disaggregated by demographic categories including race, special education status, and low-income status.
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Source: the Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee meeting of October 20, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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