Amherst, MA – In a continued effort to build trust, improve accountability, and enhance student safety, the Amherst, Pelham, and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Districts have implemented BRIM, a centralized digital tool designed to track and monitor incidents of bullying and harassment. Since its launch in August 2024, BRIM has allowed the district to take a more proactive stance in identifying, addressing, and preventing bullying and harassment, ensuring that every student feels seen, heard, and protected.
Superintendent Dr. E. Xiomara Herman made it clear that transparency and student safety remain top priorities as the district continues working toward stability. “One of the biggest challenges we face as a district is restoring confidence in our processes and ensuring our students, staff, and families know that we take their concerns seriously. Implementing BRIM is not just about tracking numbers—it’s about creating an environment where accountability is the expectation, not the exception.”
Key Findings and Implementation Successes
Since the adoption of BRIM, the district has logged 55 incidents of bullying and harassment across its schools. Data collected from August 28, 2024, to January 22, 2025, revealed the following:
- Total Reported Incidents: 55 cases across Wildwood (WW), Amherst Regional High School (ARHS), Amherst Regional Middle School (ARMS), Fort River (FR), and Pelham Elementary (PE).
- Incident Resolution Rate: 72.2% of reported cases have been successfully closed, demonstrating progress but also highlighting areas for improvement.
- Reporting Variations: Summit Academy and Crocker Farm had no data entered into BRIM at the time of analysis, which may reflect differences in reporting practices rather than an absence of incidents.
Dr. Xi acknowledged that while the system has significantly improved transparency, proper utilization remains a challenge. “The data tells us that while we are making progress, we need to ensure consistency in reporting across all schools. Every alleged incident must be documented in BRIM to give us a full picture of what our students are experiencing.”
Remaining Transparent as We Work Towards Stability
The implementation of BRIM aligns with the district’s broader efforts to stabilize operations, restore community trust, and create a culture of open communication and accountability. As part of this commitment, the district will:
- Release Monthly Transparency Reports – Beginning this year, the district will provide the community with monthly updates on bullying trends, investigations, and resolutions to ensure families, staff, and students remain informed.
- Enhance Public Access to Data – While maintaining confidentiality, the district will share key insights and progress updates through the Superintendent’s biweekly newsletter, From the Desk of Dr. Xi, and the district website.
- Conduct Open Forums & Listening Sessions – The district will host quarterly town hall meetings where students, parents, and community members can voice concerns, ask questions, and provide input on district safety measures.
- Strengthen Staff & Family Training – Additional training sessions will ensure that all staff fully understand the reporting process, and families will receive clearer guidance on how and when to report incidents in BRIM.
Dr. Xi emphasized that transparency is essential to rebuilding trust. “We know that in the past, there have been concerns about how reports of bullying and harassment were handled. That changes now. We are committed to ensuring that families and staff have access to clear, timely information about what’s happening in our schools. We are stabilizing this district through action, accountability, and open communication.”
As the district moves forward, BRIM will continue to play a critical role in shaping a safer and more responsive school environment. “Our schools should be a place where students feel safe, supported, and valued. Every incident matters, every student matters, and we will remain transparent as we work to get this right.”
For further information, contact:
Office of the Superintendent
Amherst, Pelham, and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Districts
Email: