The middle school English teacher at W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School, who was interrogated by police in her classroom in December 2023 regarding a book and other issues, resigned on June 10, effective June 14.

Resignation Due to Unsafe Work Conditions and Rights Violations

Arantzazu Zuzene Galdos-Shapiro, who teaches eighth grade, cites the Berkshire Hills Regional School District as "not a safe place" for her to work. She highlighted her deteriorating health and violation of her rights as primary reasons for her departure. Galdos-Shapiro had been with the district for six years.

In May, Galdos-Shapiro filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the district, the town, and police over an incident when a plain-clothed officer entered her classroom and questioned her about the book "Gender Queer: A Memoir" on December 8. Bodycam footage and police reports released reveal that the officer told the teacher that she "can't present that kind of material to people under 18." The officer also inquired if other books had similar content and if the teacher knew of another teacher who might have the book.

The book, a coming-of-age novel with a recommendation for readers no younger than 14, was flagged by a custodian, Adam Yorke, for its sexually explicit illustrations. The book remains highly controversial, leading the American Library Association's list of challenged books for the third consecutive year. Deborah Caldwell-Stone of the ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom noted it has sparked efforts by some advocacy groups to restrict discussions on gender identity.

Lawsuit Alleging Unlawful Targeting and Disclosure

Howard Cooper, attorney for Galdós-Shapiro, announced the lawsuit via email to local media in May. Galdós-Shapiro, an advisor for her school's Gender & Sexuality Alliance chapter, claimed she was unlawfully targeted for a criminal investigation based on an anonymous complaint from a disgruntled janitor disciplined for homophobic and racist remarks.

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The lawsuit asserts that Great Barrington officials ignored established procedures for challenging classroom content and unlawfully disclosed her name and personal information, linking her to false allegations of inappropriate conduct with students. As a result, Galdós-Shapiro faced threats and substantial harm, leading her to take a leave of absence from teaching out of fear.

Following its internal policies, the district authorized the police intervention, with Superintendent Peter Dillon acting out of caution despite limited information. The independent investigation revealed that the district had deviated from its incident management policies. However, a separate investigation commissioned by the town found the police actions lawful and proper.

The incident drew widespread condemnation, including from the American Civil Liberties Union. Galdos-Shapiro's lawsuit names Superintendent Dillon, the district, the town of Great Barrington, Police Chief Paul Storti, and Officer Joseph O'Brien, seeking punitive and monetary damages, costs, and attorney's fees. Her resignation letter criticizes the district for handling the situation and calls for substantial reforms to protect educators and students, especially those from marginalized communities.

The district posted a hiring notice for her replacement, marking Galdos-Shapiro's end of a tumultuous period. Her resignation and lawsuit underscore deep concerns about the district's policies and the broader implications for educator rights and student safety. 

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