Second school employee files complaint
Alleges bias at Amherst, Pelham district
Another employee has filed a discrimination complaint against Amherst-Pelham Regional Public Schools, the second such complaint in a month against the district.
Lamikco Magee, who is Black and was the special education curriculum leader at Amherst Regional Middle School until she resigned last month, filed the complaint on Monday with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, saying district leaders discriminated against her based on her race and sex, as well as retaliated against her.
Magee said in an interview on Wednesday that she raised concerns with central office administrators about racial discrimination she experienced and witnessed in Amherst schools during her time in the district but that administrators failed to act.
“Every now and then, things bubble up and they decide to have a training,” Magee said. “It takes more than training. It actually takes a strategic plan designed for the purpose of dismantling institutional oppression. Not just for Black staff, but for all marginalized groups.”
Michael Memmolo, MCAD interim executive director, said in an email that the agency cannot confirm whether a complaint has been filed or if there is an ongoing investigation.
In her complaint, which was obtained by the Globe, Magee alleges the district retaliated against employees of color and incorrectly placed students of color in special education. Magee also said she was not selected for leadership positions because she “complained about racial discrimination in the past.”
Superintendent Michael Morris said in an email to the Globe on Wednesday he had not received a formal notice of the complaint but was provided a “courtesy copy.” He declined to comment on it.
“I will simply state that we look forward to defending against Ms. Magee’s Complaint,” Morris said.
Magee’s complaint comes less than four weeks after Doreen Cunningham, Amherst-Pelham Regional School assistant superintendent for diversity, equity, and human resources, also filed a discrimination complaint against the district with the agency. Cunningham said in her complaint she was given “no basis” for being put on leave in May by then Acting Superintendent Douglas Slaughter. Her complaint also named Morris.
Slaughter, who is also the district’s finance director, said in a message to the district in May that Cunningham was being placed on leave “pending the conclusion of the current Title IX investigation,” which was first reported by Amherst Regional High School’s student newspaper, The Graphic.
In May, The Graphic reported allegations by students, families, and staff that three counselors at Amherst Regional Middle School had purposely misgendered students, failed to support students who faced gender-based bullying or harassment, and expressed religious beliefs in conversations with students and staff.
One parent told the student newspaper she raised concerns about one counselor and the overall school climate for more than a year before she filed a Title IX complaint in April.
Cunningham is named in the article as someone who hired the counselors and allegedly protected them against the complaints. In the complaint she filed last month, Cunningham said the article diminished her standing in the school community and exposed her to hatred, ridicule, and contempt.
The educators union, which Magee led as president until her term finished at the end of June, voted no confidence in Morris and Cunningham days after The Graphic’s article published. The group also has asked the School Committee to conduct its own investigation into Morris, alleging he failed to promptly address complaints of anti-LGBTQ actions by some district staff members. The union also demanded Cunningham’s resignation because of other concerns, which include allegations of unethical hiring practices and that she created a “toxic” work environment.