What started as a seemingly harmless email greeting has ended in disappointment for Vito J. Perrone, a Massachusetts educator who once believed he was stepping into his dream role.
Perrone had accepted an offer to become the next superintendent of Easthampton Public Schools in March 2023.
But that opportunity quickly slipped through his fingers—over one word: “ladies.”
The Email That Sparked a Firestorm
During contract negotiations, Perrone emailed school officials and began his message with: “Ladies, good evening! I’ve reviewed the contract and have three requests.”
To him, it was polite and respectful. But to members of the school committee, it was labeled a “microaggression.”
That one word caused such a stir that the committee ultimately voted 5-1 to rescind the job offer altogether.
Fighting Back With a Lawsuit
Refusing to go quietly, Perrone pushed back.
He filed a lawsuit against the Easthampton school district, claiming his rights had been violated and that the job offer should have been legally binding.
He also argued that he had reached a verbal agreement over the phone with another official, and that it should have counted as a finalized deal.
Judge Shuts the Case Down
More than a year later, that lawsuit came to a screeching halt.
A federal judge ruled that there was no enforceable contract.
Judge Mark Mastroianni explained that since Perrone had responded to the initial offer with a counteroffer—which included a 3% salary increase, 30 vacation days, and 18 sick days—the original deal was no longer valid.
The full school committee never voted to approve his terms, and without that vote, the court said the deal wasn’t official.
Legal Language Leaves No Room for Appeal
In a detailed 17-page ruling, the judge made it clear that Massachusetts law requires an affirmative vote from the school committee to finalize any changes to an employment agreement.
Without such a vote, no legal contract is formed.
That led to the dismissal of Perrone’s case with prejudice—meaning he can’t bring it back to court.
More Than Just a Job for Perrone
For Perrone, this wasn’t just another career move.
It was personal.
Speaking to the Daily Hampshire Gazette in 2023, he said he had taken a pay cut for the opportunity because he saw it as a return to a familiar place.
He had once served as principal of Easthampton High School, coached football there, and felt deeply connected to the community.
“I was excited to come back,” he said.
“This job was not about the money for me… I honestly felt like I was coming home.”
The Emotional Fallout
Looking back on how things unfolded, Perrone was still visibly upset.
According to him, it was Dr. Allison Kwiecinski who described his email greeting as a microaggression, criticizing his awareness as an educator.
Perrone said he was stunned: “I grew up in a time when calling someone ‘ladies’ or ‘gentlemen’ was considered respectful. I never meant to offend anyone.”
The night things took a turn, he had been attending a school fundraiser and was preparing to join a meeting with the committee.
Instead, he was told to step out of the room for 45 minutes—and when he returned, he learned the job offer had been rescinded.
Wanting His Side Heard
Despite the legal setback, Perrone still wants people to understand where he’s coming from.
“I don’t want folks to think I wasn’t negotiating in good faith,” he said.
“I’m choosing not to just accept that negotiations failed. I want to share my truth, express my sadness and disappointment, and still try to move forward in a positive way.”
What Happens Next?
With the lawsuit dismissed and the job no longer on the table, Perrone’s path forward is uncertain.
But one thing is clear: this case stirred up serious debate over workplace etiquette, cancel culture, and the boundaries of professionalism in the modern age.
Whether Perrone will pursue another administrative role—or take a different turn altogether—remains to be seen.