AMHERST — Superintendent E. Xiomara Herman will step down from her leadership of the Amherst, Pelham, and Amherst Regional schools when her three-year contract ends on June 30, 2027.

In a message sent on Friday, Herman notified students, families, staff and the community that the previous day she informed the Amherst, Amherst-Pelham Regional and Union 26 school committees she would be leaving after one more year on the job.

“Until that time, I remain your superintendent and am fully committed to serving our students, staff, families and communities,” Herman wrote. “My work here is far from finished, and my focus remains exactly where it has always been — on moving our districts forward.”

Herman began her tenure as superintendent on July 1, 2024, arriving after being the insular (island) superintendent of the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Education. She brought 17 years of experience in education, including as a paraeducator, classroom teacher, district director and deputy superintendent.

When she started, there was continued fallout from gender-based bullying at the middle school, with reports that counselors at the school intentionally misgendered some students and didn’t intervene when there was reported mistreatment of LGBTQ students. That led to Title IX and associated investigative reports revealing what had occurred.

With a phrase to “lead with love,” Herman immediately emphasized transparency and trust, saying she would place students at the center of decisions and take steps to build a strong foundation for the district’s future. This meant holding numerous one-on-one meetings, listening sessions and collaborating with groups, such as the Special Education Parent Advisory Council, the LGBTQIA+ Caucus, the Latinx Caucus, the Amherst Pelham Education Association and the Jewish Community of Amherst.

But there have been periodic tensions during the course of her superintendency, including when an anonymous letter was circulated in fall 2024 that made allegations about her leadership, though the school committees called out its contents. “This kind of personal and unsubstantiated attack has no place in the districts or the region, or anywhere,” the members wrote.

There have also been occasional disagreements with some members of the school committees, including on how the operating budgets were put together and how planning was done for the Chestnut Street Academy, where Amherst sixth graders will be educated this fall.

Herman received a mostly favorable performance evaluation last year, with some critiques centered on having too ambitious goals in her first year, as well as significant racial tensions remaining, a continued bias against the LGBTQ+ community and bad feelings among some staff members.

Herman said she would be making no announcements about her future beyond her decision to step down at the end of her contract, which is paying her $180,912 this year.

“I remain deeply honored to serve the students, families, staff, and communities of Amherst, Pelham, Leverett, and Shutesbury, and I am equally honored to continue serving as superintendent through the conclusion of my contract,” Herman said. “I believe the best way to honor the trust this community has placed in me is to remain fully engaged in the work until my final day as superintendent.”

Even as she plans her departure, Herman writes that the coming school year will be “one of the most exciting and transformational periods in the history of our districts” referencing the opening of the Amethyst Brook Elementary School, which will be the largest elementary school in Amherst, and the launch of the Chestnut Street Academy, the sixth-grade academy.

“The work before us represents years of planning, collaboration and community engagement, and I am excited to see these initiatives become a reality for the students and families we serve,” she wrote.

Herman also cites ongoing work including the launch of a comprehensive districtwide curriculum review, continuing the programmatic review for Pelham Elementary School, strengthening the instructional systems that support teaching and learning and continuing building systems that promote consistency, fairness, accountability and excellence.

“Our work will also remain focused on ensuring every student has access to an exceptional educational experience,” Herman wrote. “Together, we will continue to strengthen support for all learners, advance our Call for Partnership to address systemic issues that impact equity across our schools, and ensure that every student has the opportunity to learn, belong, and thrive.”

As part of her restructuring and reshaping of the central office, Herman brought on Shannon Bernacchia as executive director of finance and operations, and Tonya McIntyre as executive director of student academic success and director of curriculum, instruction and assessment. She has hired new principals for the high school and middle school, as well.

Herman applauds the “collective commitment” of the principals, directors, administrators, teachers, paraprofessionals, support staff, school committee members, caregivers, community partners and students.

“Together, we have moved these districts from theory to implementation, transforming ideas into action, challenges into opportunities, and vision into meaningful progress,” she wrote. “The work ahead will require that same spirit of collaboration, professionalism, and shared commitment, and I look forward to continuing that work alongside all of you.”

“The opportunities before us are extraordinary. Together, we will continue to strengthen our schools, support our educators, expand opportunities for students, and build systems that ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive.”