(Robert Jonathan, Headline USA) The language police have reportedly quashed the appointment of a new superintendent in a western Massachusetts school district.
The “crime”: Innocuously addressing two women as ladies, which was reportedly perceived as a microaggression in this woke era within which identity politics often overrides all other considerations, including merit.
The Easthampton, Mass., School Committee made the job offer to career educator and administrator Vito Perrone on March 24.
The salary offer was purportedly about 9% less than what he is earning each year as interim superintendent in nearby West Springfield, where he previously worked as the high school principal and assistant superintendent.
Via email, Perrone tried to negotiate a somewhat better benefits package.
“What he claims came under fire is his addressing [Chairperson Cynthia] Kwiecinski and [executive assistant Suzanne] Colby as ‘ladies’ at the beginning of the email. According to Perrone, Kwiecinski said that using ‘ladies’ was a microaggression and ‘the fact that he didn’t know that as an educator was a problem,’ he said,” the Daily Hampshire Gazette reported.
On March 30, officials told Perrone that they were revoking the job offer when he attended a fundraiser at Easthampton High School that was followed by a meeting with the committee there.
“The committee asked him to step outside for approximately 45 minutes while they spoke and then delivered the news that they had rescinded his offer after taking a vote during an executive session.”
Perrone admitted to the news outlet that the abrupt decision caught him off guard, to say the least. “I was shocked. I grew up in a time when ‘ladies’ and ‘gentlemen’ was a sign of respect. I didn’t intend to insult anyone.”
He similarly told Western Mass News that “They explained to me that they were insulted by the address, and I said, ‘well, I grew up at a time, 60s-70s, when ladies and gentlemen was a term of respect, and that’s how I intended it. I didn’t mean to insult you,’ and was basically told that my apology didn’t really mean anything, and that they were gonna rescind the offer.”
Perrone indicated that he was enthusiastic about the position even given the lesser compensation package.
“This job was not about the money for me. I honestly felt like I was coming home to Easthampton. I coached football here. I was principal here when we built the school. I have such wonderful memories…I was excited to come back.”
The School Committee is set to meet again on Tuesday evening to discuss the superintendent search, and perhaps a possibility exists that the seven-member group could change its mind.
In the meantime, a pro-Perrone protest is set for Monday evening outside the school district main office.
Connecticut native Perrone was a Division 1 athlete on the football team while attending the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He played pro ball in Italy for four years after NFL tryouts didn’t work out.
He taught English and coached football in Nevada, which also included 10 years as an instructor in the state prison system, before returning to New England. He has served as West Springfield’s interim superintendent since July 2022.
Perrone apparently decided to go public because “I don’t want people to think I was not willing to negotiate in good faith. I have chosen not to just leave it as ‘negotiations stalled.’ I would rather share my truth, my sadness and disappointment and try to find a way forward positively.”
Citing the confidentiality requirements of the executive session process, school committee members declined media requests for comment.
