A Call to Action: LGBTQIA+ Caucus Responds to the Reinstatement of Delinda Dykes
Protesters line up in front of Amherst Regional Middle School in 2023 to show support for LGBTQ youth and to demand a public meeting with the Regional School Committee. Photo: Doug Anderson
by the LGBTQIA+ Caucus of Amherst
The LGBTQIA+ Caucus of Amherst is disappointed to hear about the arbitration decision that has led to the reinstatement of Delinda Dykes. We are deeply concerned about the message this sends to LGBTQIA+ students and about the impact on all students, of having a guidance counselor who has caused harm to LGBTQIA+ students.
This arbitration decision is a direct result of former Superintendent Michael Morris and his allies on the School Committee failing to hold Dykes accountable for the documented harm her actions caused. Their inaction left the district vulnerable to her forced reinstatement. The cost of bad leadership is high, and in this case the people paying the highest price are going to be middle school students. We cannot change the past but we can learn from it and commit to the steps necessary to avoid repeating it.
While the current administration is not responsible for Dykes’ actions or the previous administration’s inaction, it will fall upon them to protect students from this point forward. With this in mind, the LGBTQIA+ Caucus requests the following of the current ARPS administration:
1.) Designate and staff a safe space in the middle school for LGBTQIA+ students and adults during the entirety of the school day.
2.) Families have a right to protect their children from someone who has caused harm. We request that the administration honor any parental or student request to have no contact with Dykes.
3.) Recent reports from DESE indicate non-compliance in the area of bullying and harassment reports. We request that the district follows appropriate documentation and timeline requirements to correct theses issues in order to keep LGBTQIA+ students safe. We request transparency in this process.
4.) The Director of Mental Health and Behavioral Services recently announced her resignation. We would like to know if the position will continue and how and when it will be filled.
The LGBTQIA+ Caucus of Amherst will continue to advocate for the needs and safety of LGBTQIA+ students. We encourage parents to exercise their right to protect their children by requesting they have no contact with Dykes. There is a template for a letter available, or you can write your own and send it to rodriguezja@arps.org and hermanx@arps.org.
We will be organizing an action on December 9 at 5:30 p.m. where community members can show support for LGBTQIA+ students and families and make their voices heard during public comment at the Amherst Regional School Committee meeting. Please save the date!