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Jeffrey Nellhaus, the acting commissioner, who succeeded David Driscoll, the former longtime commissioner, on Sept. 1, is charged with making the decision.

Story said Sadiq was told it could take two weeks for a decision to come.

The DOE rejected Sadiq's application for the license that teachers, teacher specialists, professional support personnel and administrators are required to have. The department would not disclose the reason, citing confidentiality guidelines.

Story, who said she has known Sadiq since he was in the seventh grade, said his academic credentials were not in question.

An Amherst native, Sadiq converted to Islam and changed his name from Vincent Bias after serving jail time for armed robbery after he held up a bank in Springfield with a loaded 9 mm handgun in 1993.

He has since completed college, gotten a master's degree, married and started a family. He served a one-year internship as a guidance counselor at the middle school with now-retired counselor Barry Brooks.

Amherst Superintendent Jere Hochman has said repeatedly he would exhaust every opportunity to retain Sadiq, selected from a pool of about 20 candidates. Heidi Guarino, spokeswoman for the DOE, said the department does not comment on appeals, except to say, 'This is sort of the final step. The appeal is not negotiable.'

'If his reconsideration is denied,' Hochman said by email, 'I will continue to explore all options.'

Story said last week she contacted Hochman to say she would like to help. There were about 10 of Sadiq's supporters at the hearing Wednesday, including some from the University of Massachusetts, where he is doing post-graduate work, the Amherst school system and from the community, she said.

About a dozen educators wrote a letter to the DOE in support of Sadiq. Parents wanting to demonstrate their support for him filled the seats at a recent Regional School Committee meeting, according to its chairwoman, Elaine Brighty.

Andrew Hafner, a middle school parent who grew up with Sadiq and has seen him interact with children, maintains that Sadiq is a good choice for the position. Hafner always found him to be a calming presence, the kind of boy who would break up a fight rather than be in one. Today, he is a strong role model, Hafner said.

'People who don't know him, all they see is the issues,' he said. But Sadiq has invested himself completely in his community, Hafner said. 'If you can't get the benefit of the doubt in your own community, it's disheartening.'

Malou Hafner, Hafner's wife, sees Sadiq often, because their children attend the same preschool, and is another supporter.

'He's very gentle and I think he would be a good counselor,' she said. 'I've seen him react when his kids act up and he's good, because he processes things with the kid as opposed to reacting to the bad behavior by being angry.'

Some parents, meanwhile, remain skeptical about his appointment.

Mary Carey can be reached at mary.carey@att.net.

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