AMHERST — Despite a concern from the teachers union’s executive board that school staff are continuing to be hired and retained without state licenses, Superintendent E. Xiomara Herman is confirming a commitment to being in compliance with state law and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education regulations when making appointments.

In late June, the executive board for the union that represents teachers, paraeducators and clerical staff issued a statement contending that administrators are still serving without proper state licenses, a long-standing issue in the Amherst public schools.

“The Amherst-Pelham Education Association upholds the importance of training, certification and licensure for staff working with children so that they receive the benefit of the highest professional expertise,” the statement reads. “Moreover, the district must abide by state law and ensure that all staff who must be licensed actually are, and correct any hiring practices that have overlooked this key element of their process.”

Herman spoke to the issue at the June 24 Regional School Committee meeting, explaining that if she has someone who applies for licensure waiver renewals, she makes those against her own licenses, and asks that the employees show they are making progress toward full licensure.

In addition, licensed applicants who are in the pool of candidates are considered for openings first.

“Our goal is that is the priority: the licensed educator takes precedence over the unlicensed educator,” Herman said.

For the union, part of the concern centers around the recent appointment of Juan Rodriguez to serve as the Amherst Regional Middle School principal. His yearlong waiver, used while serving first as assistant principal and then interim principal at the building, expired June 30.

Herman, though, explained how his appointment came to be.

Prior to the initial interview stage, the only applicant with full licensure opted against applying, and none of the three finalists was fully licensed when Rodriguez was selected. But having served as interim principal under a DESE-approved waiver, and providing clear evidence of progress toward full licensure, a hardship waiver application was submitted on his behalf in early June for the next school year.

“As we work to stabilize leadership at the middle school, something our students and staff truly deserve, we understand that questions may arise,” Herman said. “Leadership transitions, especially in today’s educational climate, can be challenging. We welcome public accountability, and we also believe it’s important to recognize the thoughtful steps taken to support our schools during a time of widespread staffing shortages and increased pressures across the field of education.”

The union has argued, with information from DESE, that when a waiver expires, though, that the person can’t just keep working, the positions must be posted and, to get another waiver or emergency license, there has to be proof that no licensed candidate can be found. Without these steps, the hiring process lacks integrity, according to the union.

Herman said transparency is a core value of her leadership.

“We have a responsibility to communicate clearly about our processes, especially when they involve legal and staffing decisions that affect our school communities,” Herman said. “Mr. Rodriguez is a highly qualified educational leader who has built strong, respectful relationships with students, families, and staff. His calm, student-centered leadership style has already brought much-needed stability to the middle school. I remain confident in his ability to lead with integrity, purpose and care.”

She also observes that research consistently shows that “a highly effective principal can have a greater impact on student learning than almost any other school-based factor.”

In 2018, the district received notification from DESE that it was out of compliance with licensing administrators, and had been for several years. Then Superintendent Michael Morris and Assistant Superintendent Doreen Cunningham worked to modify the hiring practices, which led to several positions being vacated and a series of one-year appointments of those licensed. In addition, the district worked with those with licenses that had lapsed to renew them.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.