Amherst middle school counselor on paid leave after court-ordered reinstatement

AMHERST — Although she was set to return to her job on the first day of school, a controversial Amherst Regional Middle School guidance counselor remains at home on paid leave, administrators have confirmed.

Despite proclaiming her innocence after she allegedly misgendered trans students and made insensitive comments regarding sexual orientation, school department officials have opted to keep Delinda Dykes on paid leave.

"Let me be clear, I am innocent," Dykes said in a public statement she issued. "I deeply share everyone's concern about the safety and well-being of all students, including those who identify as LGBTQIA+ and I will never waver from my commitment to help all students."

She was fired in 2023 after a Title IX investigation, when complaints arose about Dykes and two other school staffers' handling of allegations around bullying of LGBTQIA+ students.

The regional school with an estimated 366 students has been wrapped in controversy that peaked again when Dykes won an arbitration case that afforded her her job back.

Some members of the community rose up in protest over the reinstatement, and more than a dozen supporters of LGBTQIA+ students turned out Wednesday morning holding rainbow umbrellas in solidarity.

LGBTQIA+ Caucus spokesperson Ali Wicks-Lim headed the "call to action" outside the school but made it a point of saying it was not a rally or protest, but simply a show of support for incoming students.

Some of the signs of support read: "Welcome back," "You are not alone," and "You are fabulous."

The rancor over Dykes continues after a Hampshire Superior Court judge last week denied the school district's pleas for an emergency injunction to keep the counselor out of the school. An appeal is outstanding.

Read the original article on MassLive .