AMHERST — A significant majority of elementary school teachers, paraprofessionals and clerical staff are disavowing a recent statement, released by the executive board for the Amherst-Pelham Education Association, offering support to Superintendent E. Xiomara Herman in the face of allegations made by 12 administrators whose identities have not been made public.

The unsigned letter from union employees at the four elementary schools was sent to the Amherst Regional and Amherst school committees Thursday, expressing concern at the executive committee statement, titled “APEA executive board stands with Dr. Xi in advancing financial transparency and fiscal stability.” The letter observes that the statement “was issued without discussion or consultation with union reps and was unilaterally sent out by members of the executive board, effectively silencing the voices of the membership.”

The letter, provided to the Gazette on Sunday, was supported by 84% of the union membership at Crocker Farm, Fort River and Wildwood elementary schools in Amhers,t and Pelham Elementary.

In not supporting the statement from the union leaders, the letter demands that the school committees carefully consider the results of interviews and investigations surrounding accusations made about the superintendent’s conduct: “If the accusations prove to be true, we ask you to hold the superintendent accountable for these harms and not allow such behavior to be supported in our school district,” the letter reads.

At a December executive session of the school committees, Herman asked that an investigation be launched into a four-page document published in January outlining concerns with her leadership, along with allegations of threats of physical harm, of creating a hostile work environment and sexual and workplace harassment under her watch.

There were also worries about Herman’s demands that staff sign a nondisclosure agreement that would prevent members from talking among themselves or with their spouses.

The school committees agreed to initiate an independent review so concerns can be addressed thoroughly and objectively.

The superintendent also released her own statement responding to the contents of the anonymous letter in a general way. In it, Herman cited cultural nuances and observed that truths are not easy and that difficult discussions need to take place.

“I have learned that being direct, which is often a hallmark of my leadership, can be seen as offensive to some, while indirectness, which may be preferred by others, can feel like a lack of transparency to me,” Herman said. “Bridging these differences requires openness, understanding and dialogue.”

Georgia Malcolm, who had been the APEA president at the time of the executive board’s statement, recently stepped down, citing challenges in dealing with what she termed a white supremacy culture in the district. Malcolm had also spoken up at a School Committee meeting, in her capacity as assistant athletic director, to defend Herman’s work in doing an extensive review of programs and spending.

The elementary school union members’ additional request is that the 12 administrators who put out the concerns about Herman not be referred to as “anonymous” individuals, since two of met in person with two School Committee members, and they are also known to those investigating, but “have not been made (themselves) public due to fear of retaliation.”

“This false narrative being perpetuated is intentionally damaging and we implore you to publicly clear up this falsehood to our community,” the letter states.

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