Public Comment: Delinda Dykes Cannot Return to Amherst Schools Without Causing More Harm

by The Ad Hoc LGBTQIA+ Caucus of Amherst

The Ad Hoc LGBTQIA+ Caucus of Amherst was formed in 2023 to address the district’s failure to protect queer and trans students and hold those harming them accountable. When the staff who harmed students and the administrators who allowed it and then tried to deny it were replaced, we were relieved. To be facing a situation where one of the people most responsible for egregious harm is reinstated is devastating and unacceptable.

We need transparency. How could this possibly have happened? How do you plan to protect students in the months and years ahead?

According to the investigative report released by the district, Delinda Dykes repeatedly misgendered and deadnamed students and held prayer circles in a school building where she said, ; “in the name of Jesus we pray that the LGBTQ gay demon that wants to attach and confuse these kids to leave this school now.” It is our position that no employee who committed these offenses should be allowed anywhere near students ever again. 

And yet in the Determination of Responsibility following the report, the prior administration claimed that Dykes’ actions did not deny any student access to the district’s educational programs or activities, and this document was signed by the current high school principal. We need administrators to understand that homophobic and transphobic harassment impact a students’ entire school experience and can have life-threatening consequences.  

Delinda Dykes’ training as a counselor should make it clear even to her that she cannot return to the Amherst Regional Public Schools without causing more harm. There is no amount of management of her presence that will make it safe or acceptable. The Caucus calls upon her to recognize that and not return. 

To the Administration and School Committee: if there were not policies and procedures in place to prevent this from happening there should have been. While we recognize that not all of you held leadership positions when this problem started you are now the only people with the power to fix it.

To the parents who feel afraid and powerless to protect your children: we urge you to use your voices to advocate. Homophobia and transphobia are unhealthy and unsafe for all students regardless of their gender or sexual orientation, and it cannot be only the parents of trans or queer students who show up for the work ahead.

We encourage all ARPS parents who find the actions described in the district’s investigative report unacceptable to send a letter to the district stating that Delinda Dykes is not to have any contact with or access to your child. There is a template for a letter -use the QR code below to access the template.

To the students who feel unheard and unprotected, the Caucus wants you to know that you are not alone. What has happened here is not OK and we will do everything in our power to stop it from happening again. You have more power than you may realize and you deserve to be respected for who you are. If you are ever in a position where you feel unsafe or unprotected, leave. Find an adult you can trust and tell them you are unwilling to remain in that place.

And finally, it is the responsibility of every person in this district and in the broader community to find a way to stop making children suffer the consequences of adult failures. 


The Ad Hoc LGBTQ Caucus of Amherst was formed in fall of 2023 to mobilize Amherst residents in defense of queer and trans students at Amherst Regional Middle School who were the targets of bullying. It has since allied with the Ad Hoc Black Caucus of Amherst and the Ad Hoc Latinx Cuaucus of Amherst to support the work of social justice and equity in our community and to promote transparency and accountability in government.