Court Denies Amherst School District's Bid to Block Counselor's Reinstatement

A Hampshire Superior Court judge on August 22 denied an emergency motion by Amherst-Pelham Regional Public Schools to prevent the reinstatement of guidance counselor Delinda Dykes, who was fired in December 2023 for allegedly discriminating against LGBTQ+ students.

Dykes won her job back through arbitration in July, with the arbitrator finding the district failed to prove she had repeatedly misgendered students or made inappropriate comments about gender or sexual orientation, according to New England Public Media.

In denying the district's motion, Justice James Manitsas wrote that "mere restating of bare allegations previously alleged by the school district and found not to have been proven by the arbitrator falls woefully short of establishing" that the arbitrator exceeded her powers, New England Public Media reported.

Dykes remains on paid administrative leave while the district appeals the arbitration decision. The case stems from a 2023 investigation into allegations that middle school counselors failed to protect LGBTQ+ students from harassment.