Doreen Cunningham found herself at the center of a firestorm of fear-driven accusations that called into question her leadership as the assistant superintendent in charge of Diversity, Equity, & Human Resources at the Amherst Regional Public School District mid-2023. During her tenure of six+ years, more people of color were hired into well-paying positions of authority.

And allegations arose about whether the new hires were qualified, had friendships, or went to church with Ms. Cunningham. But it was the allegations about school counselors mis-gendering students at the middle school that was the basis of a story in the system’s student newspaper, The Graphic, that turned the predominantly white and wealthy town on its head. The district spent over $70,000 of taxpayer monies to pay an investigator to look into the allegations.* Some parents and some staff demanded her resignation very passionately on TV and in other media.

The district’s Superintendent, Michael Morris, immediately filed for paid medical leave and eventually found a job in Westfield MA school system. According to an article in the Daily Hampshire Gazette: “A separation agreement that goes into effect Aug. 31, reached with the committees, will pay Morris his annual $178,500 salary for 10 months after the separation, or $6,868.69 every two weeks. It allows him to collect pay for 54 days of unused vacation time and doesn’t require him to attend any more public meetings before the end of his tenure.” (https://www.gazettenet.com/Amherst-Superintendent-Michael-Morris-to-leave-role-at-end-of-month-52006475)

This two-part series is Ms. Cunningham’s story. * From Ms. Cunningham: “Doreen Cunningham and three other individuals of color were recently the targets of an investigation and subsequent questionable report. Three of the individuals were informed that they were accused of violating Title IX. Ms. Cunningham however was not given a reason why she was being investigated.

The investigator told her that he did not have to let her know. The investigator then came to conclusions based on his own lens of being of the dominant culture. Many red flags are raised with how the investigation took place. Culturally aware investigations start with understanding each respondent their lens, background and understanding of current norms.” To reach Ms. Cunningham, email her at askDCunningham@gmail.com