Adams-Cheshire Superintendent Says She is Still on the Job

ADAMS, Mass. — The Adams-Cheshire Regional School Committee is keeping mum on the recent absence of its superintendent.

But Kristen Gordon says she's still in charge.

"I most certainly am still employed by the district. I am the Superintendent of ACRSD," Gordon wrote to iBerkshires on Monday morning. "I have been working from home and also from afar for personal reasons that I do not wish to get into because some involve sensitive nature to others."

Gordon has not been at her post in the district for at least a week or more. School officials, however, have declined to clarify if she is still employed by the district.

"I can only tell you that the superintendent is out until further notice," stated School Committee Chairman Paul Butler on Sunday. "We hope to have public comment soon but until then, we do ask for patience."

On Monday morning, Gordon wrote to iBerkshires to repeat that she had told a reporter when her absence was first questioned that she was working from home during a personal time. She also said she is still using her work email and responding to messages.

The School Committee held an executive session on Thursday, Feb. 4, at Cheshire Elementary School to discuss a personnel matter, using standard wording in the agenda that included the possibility of someone being disciplined or dismissed.

Butler would not say if Gordon was the subject of that meeting or if a vote had been taken.

Gordon had been principal of Plunkett Elementary School for nine years when she was hired as superintendent in 2012 to replace the retiring Alfred Skrocki. Since then, she had appeared to be popular with the community and a strong advocate for the school system.

Butler did indicate that no one has been appointed in an interim capacity.

"Day to day operations are being handled by the principals and department heads as usual and the School Committee is working on the budget for the next fiscal year," he said.

"Again, we hope to have public comment soon but I cannot give you a date at this point."

Gordon was very clear on Monday: "I have not been fired."

"For the past 12 years, I have put my heart and soul into the district," she wrote. "It is the district that raised me and my 4 siblings. It is important to me that appropriate and accurate information gets out."

*Updated Monday morning with comments by Gordon and that she is still using her work email, which is not available next to her name on the website. As of Wednesday, her email is accessible in what appears to have been a glitch on the website. She responded to iBerkshires using her personal email, saying that was the one attached to her phone.

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