MA School Superintendent Finalist Made 'Transphobic' Posts: Report

EASTHAMPTON, MA — A finalist for the Easthampton superintendent position dropped out of the race after students sent the city's mayor Facebook posts she apparently wrote condemning transgender women competing in athletic competitions, Boston.com reported Thursday.

Erica Faginski-Stark, the Ludlow Public Schools director of curriculum and instruction, was the second pick for the job—the Easthampton School Committee's first choice having been the since-rescinded West Springfield Interim Superintendent of Schools Vito Perrone, the outlet reported.

But Faginski-Stark withdrew her candidacy after a student brought to Mayor Nicole LaChapelle's attention two 'concerning' posts shared by Faginski-Stark on Facebook in 2021, according to Boston.com.

Both of the posts were shared by the outlet and seemed to concern transgender women participating in athletic competitions. One of the posts, written by Faginski-Stark and shared March 2021, read “Ladies, the glass ceiling is more real now than it’s been in generations. Our choice to use our voice or to remain silent will determine not only the future of women’s athletics but equality for women everywhere.” Included in the post was a link to a 'Defend title IX' petition, which read "Only girls should play girls' sports!"

According to her Linkedin profile, Faginski-Stark has been the Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Ludlow Public Schools since July 2016. Before that, she was the Director of Curriculum and Grants at South Hadley Public Schools from July 2013 to June 2016.

The Easthampton School Committee is set to meet again Tuesday to reassess its options in the search for a new superintendent.

Read the full report at Boston.com.