Judge confirms reinstatement of Amherst school counselor who was fired after allegations of misgendering transgender students
AMHERST — A Hampshire Superior Court judge sided this week with Delinda Dykes, the Amherst Regional Middle School guidance counselor fired in 2023 amid allegations that she misgendered transgender students.
But Dykes challenged the firing and won reinstatement in August. The school district appealed. Thursday, Hampshire County Superior Court Judge James M. Manitsas denied that appeal citing Dykes' efforts to create a safe learning environment and saying reinstating her was in the best interests of students.
Dykes has been most recently home on paid leave while the appeal ran its course.
Even when corrected, Dykes would quickly revert to using incorrect names or pronouns, according to a Title IX investigation cited by the school district.
Dykes, also a former interim principal at the school, was accused of having once remarked: "In the name of Jesus we pray that the LGBTQ gay demon that wants to attack and confuse these kids to leave this school now."
The arbitrator also said Dykes allegedly removed the nail polish a gay student had painted on another teacher's nail on the basis that "the kids were confused enough as it was." Dykes allegedly asked if she had to call a student a "potato sack" if that was what they requested to be called.
But the arbitrator ruled that the nail polish incident was not a remark directed at a student but an interaction between adults.
And the arbitrator found that Dykes apologized and some of the complaining students said she made an effort to do better.
In a media statement, the district said administrators are working with legal counsel and the Regional School Committee to determine appropriate next steps.
Superintendent E. Xiomara Herman reaffirmed the district's unwavering commitment to ensuring that every student and staff member is safe, supported and feels a strong sense of belonging in our schools.
"Regardless of the next steps, our focus remains where it must always be, on our students," Herman said in the statement. "We are committed to ensuring that this continues to be a school system where every child is honored, respected, and given the opportunity to be their best self."
Stories by Jim Kinney
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