AMHERST — After scrutiny on the superintendent’s recent decision to pass up on two candidates of color for a middle-school principal position, school officials have named two co-principals to serve on an interim basis at Amherst Regional Middle School.
Joseph Smith, previously a Crocker Farm Elementary School assistant principal and the principal of Leeds Elementary School, and Rebecca Sweetman, a middle school principal in Southbridge, will serve in their roles as co-principals for the next two years, according to a letter from Superintendent Michael Morris and Doreen Cunningham, Assistant Superintendent of Diversity, Equity and Human Resources.
“Many people who participated in opportunities to meet them as candidates commented that they wished we could hire both,” the letter reads. “We agreed and are pleased that Mr. Smith and Ms. Sweetman will be bringing their expertise to ARPS as part of our administrative team.”
The search for a middle school principal resulted in controversy after a member of the search committee went public to say that Morris passed over two licensed candidates of color in favor of re-appointing interim Principal Patty Bode for a third year. Bode, who did not have her administrative license at the time, could not take the position.
In the wake of Morris’ decision, some town residents have said that decision was discriminatory, or that it was indicative of longtime hiring practices that disadvantaged people of color in town.
Teachers from the middle school have voiced concern over the continued administrative turnover at the school, and have showed up in support of Bode at several Regional School Committee meetings, and more than 50 signed a letter praising Bode’s work.
ARMS families, staff and students will have an opportunity to meet the interim co-principals sometime in July, though a date has yet to be finalized.