Amherst Regional Schools Outline Year's Goals Amid Leadership Changes
The superintendent reported steady enrollment and attendance while new leadership at the high school and middle school outlined their priorities for the coming year.
The Amherst Regional School Committee heard reports from district leaders about their plans for the 2026-27 school year at its September 8 meeting, including challenges around staffing, policy updates, and new academic initiatives.
Superintendent E. Xiomara Herman reported that enrollment in middle and high school remains steady at slightly under 200 students per grade, with attendance exceeding 96% over the past three years. The district has identified at least 71 commitments—specific actions to strengthen systems and ensure consistent practices—with immediate focus on procedures affecting student safety and well-being. Herman will present a report on the School Improvement Plan in October, documenting which goals have been met and which still require work.
Summit Academy, the district's secondary school serving students with individualized education plans who need a therapeutic setting, continues searching for an interim principal as the school year began. Director of Student Services Tom Simon, who is heading the interim search, said the program needs leadership to drive its strategic vision. He noted that Summit staff have shown strong collaboration, but an interim principal ideally would have a special education background and understand the therapeutic aspects of the program. Simon said he is prepared to coach a new principal. Herman added that her team is reviewing documents to clarify the program's structure and purpose, as the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education uses three different names for it.
New High School Principal Mark Gomes presented first-year goals focused on closing achievement gaps for English language learners and students with disabilities through targeted interventions and regular monitoring. He aims to foster school pride and address challenges including vape use, academic support needs, and attendance issues. Gomes plans to launch a Saturday program for students struggling academically or with unexcused absences, offering time to recoup missed instruction and receive support. Educators will be paid from unspent summer school funds.
Some committee members raised concerns about the accountability language. Laura Jane Hunter of Amherst questioned whether the approach accounted for legitimate reasons students miss school, such as mental health issues or family obligations. Herman explained that students with repeated absences receive support from guidance counselors and may benefit from different schedules. Tim Shores of Leverett said he felt students should learn accountability and did not view it as punishment. Gomes said he walks the school daily, visits nearly every classroom, and met with many staff members. He stated his goal is to make Amherst Regional High School "a blue-ribbon school," though he acknowledged "we have to fix things around the edges first."
Middle School Principal Juan Rodriguez reported that despite delays from a roof leak, the school year started well, with attendance exceeding 96% and strong energy in the building.
The district also launched Tea with Dr. Xi, a monthly virtual series designed to strengthen communication and connection. The first series focuses on school leadership, allowing families to meet principals and ask questions ahead of upcoming Open Houses.
The Four Towns Meeting scheduled for September 26 will begin discussions on revising the regional agreement between the towns. For the past two years, the state funding formula has disallowed cost-limiting protections for smaller towns, resulting in double-digit increases in assessments for Leverett and Pelham.