Myers, 55, announced his intent to resign in a Jan. 15 statement that was distributed to the Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee. "I am aware of certain allegations and of their distressing impact," the letter read. "I am sorry for that. That said, I did nothing wrong."
"At no time was there any improper behavior," the statement said. "But as we all know, people believe allegations regardless. I want to set the record straight, but that is not possible in a climate of rumor and innuendo. My primary concern is for my staff and my students and for this community. For that reason, I have decided to step down as principal."
In his statement, Myers said that the student complained to him that other kids were teasing him about the size of his breasts. The statement read: "I said words to the effect, 'So what are they talking about? Do you want to show me?' He raised his shirt for a moment. I glanced across at him and said 'You don't have anything to worry about.'" Myers denied ever inviting the boy to his house.
School Superintendent Gus A. Sayer confirmed the incident in a Dec. 18 letter to the boy's mother. The letter read: "Mr. Myers did request to see [name deleted]'s nipple and [name deleted] consented. Mr. Myers did invite [name deleted] to his home and tell him that he had a hot tub there. These actions were improper, as was his invitation to take [name deleted] to a movie, in my judgement."
Sayer did not publicly inform the school committee of the incident. However, a copy of Sayer's letter to the boy's mother was circulated and discussed at the Jan. 15 school committee meeting.
According to the Daily Hampshire Gazette, Lewana Parker, an advocate for the boy's family and former employee told Sayer and the school committee that the letter had been circulated at the request of the boy's mother. "She felt that the interest of the children was not the first and foremost concern in this community or by this school committee," Parker told the Gazette.
Others in the school community are also disappointed at the way the school has handled the issue. "My impression ... is that the issue, beginning with the way it was raised at the school committee meeting, has been badly handled," said Professor of English Kim Townsend, whose son is a senior at the school.
Dean of Students Ben Lieber's son, Alex Lieber, who is a senior at ARHS, agreed. "One of the main problems is that the student body and teachers have not been told much about it. The school committee has refused to say anything publicly ... this has caused much anger."
Lieber said that he believed that Myers was left with no other choice besides resignation "because of the nature of what happened and how it was handled by all parties involved."
Last Friday, a letter written in support of Myers by ARHS seniors Nick Juravich and Jason Farber was distributed in the cafeteria and, according to Lieber, many students signed it.
The Massachusetts Department of Social Services [DSS] took custody of Myers' eight-year-old son last Wednesday out of concern for the boy's safety following its investigation of the incident with the student at ARHS. "As far as any allegations involving Mr. Myers, they are without merit and, as far as the accusation or position expressed by DSS, there is absolutely no concern and should be no concern for his child's safety and well-being," Myers' lawyer, Matthew King, told the Gazette.