AMHERST — Having already taken a no-confidence vote in Superintendent Michael Morris, the union representing teachers, paraprofessionals and clerical staff in the Amherst-Pelham public schools reiterated its appeal for the Regional School Committee to launch an investigation into what it calls “failures” of his leadership.

A statement issued by the Amherst-Pelham Education Association on Aug. 2 comes as a Title IX complaint into gender-based bullying at the Amherst Regional Middle School continues to be investigated and after Morris unveiled an in-depth plan to make the schools a safe and comfortable learning environment for all students in the coming school year.

“While the APEA supports an impartial and independent investigation into the Title IX complaint around anti-LGBTQIA+ issues at Amherst Regional Middle School, the union is also calling for a separate inquiry into the failures of Dr. Michael Morris’s leadership, failures that encompass but go beyond the Title IX gender discrimination issues,” the statement reads.

The latest union appeal supplements the May 13 no-confidence vote in both Morris and Doreen Cunningham, the assistant superintendent for diversity, equity and human resources. The union has also asked for Cunningham’s resignation.

In an email on Aug. 3, Sarahbess Kenney, a Pelham representative who serves as vice chairwoman of the Regional School Committee, said a previous response from Amherst representative Ben Herrington, who chairs the committee, stands. Though there were demands by those at a rally in support of LGBTQ students on July 28 at the middle school to investigate Morris and put him on leave, Herrington said there is no intention to call a special meeting or to make that decision.

Morris, who had begun a two-month medical leave at the time of the union’s no-confidence vote, returned to his position in mid-July. Cunningham is currently on administrative leave, and has filed a complaint to the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination.

An article in The Graphic, the high school newspaper, in May outlined how three middle school counselors intentionally misgendered students, brought prayer into the schools and didn’t intervene when gender-based bullying was occurring.

The APEA’s no-confidence vote cited the what it characterized as Morris’ failure to address actions that harmed students and created toxic work conditions; his failure to properly supervise the district offices and people in his employ, especially Cunningham; his failure to promptly deal with complaints of anti-LGBTQIA+ behavior on the part of some staff members, which created an unsafe environment for children, especially those whose identities are marginalized; and his failure to collaborate with staff in planning how to support positive leadership in the schools.

“It strains credulity that Dr. Morris, as he has publicly claimed, did not know about bullying and intentional misgendering of students by some other students and a few staff,” says Claire Cocco, ARMS teacher and APEA communications chair. “Especially when many other staff were taking the lead and raising red flags with the administration.”

While Morris has offered a plan to address LGBTQIA+ issues in the district, including staff training and professional development, the teachers union is rejecting the implication that anti-LGBTQIA+ activities are systemic within the schools.

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