Rhode Island School District Charges $117,130.50 for Curriculum Review
A school district in Rhode Island has laid out a staggering fee of $117,130.50 to a mother looking to review the curriculum and emails of a teacher who recently labeled conservative activist Charlie Kirk as “trash” following his assassination on September 10.
Nicole Solas, representing herself, received a letter from the law firm for Barrington Public Schools detailing the costs associated with her public records request for social studies teacher Benjamin Philo’s materials and communications. The fees, outlined in the letter, were quite detailed and included charges for 789 emails that contained the word “Trump,” dating back to January 1, 2016.
Solas, a mother whose children attend private school outside the district, is also seeking access to various educational materials used by Philo—like assignments, handouts, videos, and other resources—after having been involved in a similar public records dispute four years prior, which involved the National Education Association of Rhode Island (NEARI).
After Kirk’s assassination, Philo shared a video online in which Kirk reportedly expressed animosity towards the LGBTQ community and women’s rights. Following the incident, Philo was placed on leave for his comments, where he noted, “what a piece of trash. Watch what happens…Bye Charlie!”
The law firm Heneos Carroll Lombardo LLC detailed the breakdown of costs: $379.50 for the emails about “Trump,” $116,032.50 for curriculum materials, and an additional $718.50 for specific email requests, culminating in the eye-watering total of $117,130.50. Solas expressed her shock, describing the quote for accessing curriculum materials as absurd and excessive.
“Tuition should really be zero because these materials are paid for by taxpayers,” Solas argued during an interview. She emphasized that understanding the curriculum is crucial to assess how students are actually doing in public schools. If financial obstacles prevent access to this information, it raises questions about governmental transparency.
Concerns are widespread, as Morgan Hollenbrook, a past parent at Barrington Public Schools, criticized the high fee as alarming, stating that taxpayers deserve easily accessible information without hefty charges attached. Another parent, Keira Daley, echoed similar sentiments about transparency in the classroom, expressing that parents should have straightforward access to what is being taught to their children, free of cost.
Daley went on to emphasize the responsibility educators hold in fostering independent thought among students and raising concerns over maintaining a neutral instructional environment that respects different beliefs. She urged for a structured approach to ensure this balance is maintained in classrooms.
Fox News Digital has sought responses from both Philo and the Acting Superintendent of Barrington Public Schools, Christopher Ashley, but no comments have been forthcoming at this time.
