EASTHAMPTON, Mass. - Vito Perrone confirmed Monday that the Easthampton School Committee rescinded their offer for him to be the next superintendent of schools.

Perrone told Spectrum News 1 the school committee informed him of the decision, citing an email he sent during contract negotiations last week where he addressed the female school committee chair and the board’s executive assistant as "ladies."

Kelley Hopkins has children in the town's school system and called the decision unfair.

"I think it's ridiculous and overblown," Hopkins said. "I think that if you think about it, how was this man supposed to have addressed them? What would've satisfied them? I mean it seems like a very small indiscretion."

Spectrum News 1 previously interviewed Perrone after the committee initially selected him for the job. He is the current interim superintendent of West Springfield Public Schools. Perrone declined to speak on camera Monday, but said the situation has been difficult to process.

Hopkins said she would have preferred the committee take more time to address the issue before taking drastic measures.

"If we're expecting our kids to have teachable moments, this could be a teachable moment for him as well," Hopkins said. "It could've been a private matter. They could've taken him and said, 'I found this to be offensive, or hurtful' or whatever it is they felt and given him another chance. I mean it's not like it's policy decision, or something that affects our children directly." 

School Committee members and Mayor Nicole LaChapelle, who a also a member of the committee, declined to comment on the item because it was discussed in executive session.

A group of Easthampton residents is protesting the move Monday evening and showing their support for Perrone. They said they want to see a fair selection process.