Residents Raise Concerns Over Termination of Scituate DEI Director

For more Scituate news, subscribe to our newsletter. 

The recent decision by Scituate Public Schools to terminate the district’s director of diversity, equity, and inclusion, Jamele Adams, sparked a wave of emotion and frustration from students, parents, residents, and educators during last week’s School Committee meeting.

One by one, speakers stepped to the microphone to express disbelief and sadness over Adams’ dismissal, describing him as a mentor, role model, and a voice, they said, that made every student feel valued.

One high school student said Adams “made people feel seen and valued,” adding that he “taught us to be proud of who we are and kind to others.” Another student said his programs helped them “find the courage to speak up and to see differences as strengths, not barriers.”

Parents called Adams’ termination a step backward for the district. One parent said, “He built trust with families and helped our kids feel like they belonged. We deserve to understand why that ended.”

Many residents recalled Adams’ message of compassion and inclusion. “Love how you love who you love,” one resident said, repeating Adams’ signature phrase. “That was how he lived. He showed our kids what that meant.”

Teachers also spoke about Adams’ impact in the classroom, crediting his leadership with creating safe spaces for conversations about identity and empathy. “His DEI [Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion] and SEL [Social Emotional Learning] work changed the way we connect with our students,” one teacher said. “He taught us that inclusion isn’t just a program; it’s a culture.”

Ahead of the meeting, the School Committee addressed the decision in a prepared statement, “This is not a move away from initiatives on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging,” the statement read. “This move will expand and strengthen our current DEIB work to include Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and related student needs.”

“I don’t know how we got here,” Adams said. “I don’t know what happened. What was the catalyst? It feels ugly, and it’s definitely not love.”

Adams joined Scituate Public Schools in 2021 as the district’s first director of DEI, hired under former Superintendent Bill Burkhead, who retired in September. In a 2023 interview with The Patriot Ledger regarding a mock tombstone for Adams found at Museum Beach, Burkhead noted that there had been resistance to the position and to Adams directly. 

Scituate appointed interim superintendent Thomas Raab, Ed.D. on September 16, 2025. 

Adams said he was moved watching the outpouring of support at the meeting. 

When asked about the district’s future efforts regarding DEI and SEL, Adams said that the two are not the same. “They’re relative to each other and very much support each other,” he said. “They coexist and they have to work together.” 

Adams added that his hope is that the programs and relationships built under his leadership continue. Despite his departure, Adams emphasized that his affection for the community remains unchanged.

“I have unequivocal love for Scituate, for our journeys together and all that we did together,” he said. “We love each other so well.”

School Committee Chair Nicole Brandolini declined to respond to questions from South Shore Times, citing a “multitude of work and family obligations of the day.”

Scituate Public Schools announced that office hours and listening sessions will be held in the coming weeks to hear directly from residents and staff.