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Date: 10/31/2023
AMHERST — Doreen Cunningham, the assistant superintendent with the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District, is officially separated from her position with the school system.
Cunningham was placed on administrative leave in May during the beginning of a Title IX complaint and investigation amid allegations of improper conduct and harassment against members of LGBTQIA+ students at the Amherst Regional Middle School by counselors there. Three staff members were also placed on leave.
Following the initial complaints and during the investigation, then Superintendent Michael Morris went out on a medical leave of absence, returning to his post in August. During that time, Finance Director Douglas Slaughter served as interim superintendent and it was he who initially placed Cunningham on leave.
This week, Debbie Westmoreland, director of communications and operations provided a brief response regarding Cunningham’s status with the district.
“I can confirm that Doreen Cunningham is no longer employed with the district, “she wrote in an email. “This is the only information we can provide.”
Morris resigned from his position in August in mutual agreement with the Joint Regional and Union 26 School Committees. Also that month, Cunningham filed a discrimination complaint against the district with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination. Both Morris and Slaughter, who returned to the interim role, were also named in the complaint.
The Title IX investigation was completed but the findings have not been released. In the days and weeks that followed, several members serving on the school committees resigned their seats and the search process for a new, permanent superintendent is underway.
Details as to when Cunningham left her employment were not revealed.