LITCHFIELD — Several petitions have been created asking the local school board to allow the daughter of a Campbell High School teacher to attend the school tuition-free, even though the family does not reside in Litchfield.
According to school officials, the teacher requested that her daughter attend Campbell High School tuition-free, however the request was denied. Previously, however, the school district allowed the girl’s brother to attend the school without paying the nearly $15,000 a year in tuition.
“The board is unable to discuss the specific circumstances of any particular request since each involved personal student information,” the board said in a statement, adding it is an unfair labor practice to provide a benefit to one union member and not another.
“When considering a tuition request, the board must be aware that there are many staff members who may also be interested in having their children attend our schools free of charge,” the board said in its release. “ … While individual requests may seem compelling, every exception to policy can be perceived by others as unfair. Each request must be considered with due diligence and careful discernment.”
Aimee Gaspar is an English teacher at Campbell High School. Although she does not reside in town, Gaspar’s son, Ethan Burns, did receive a tuition waiver to attend the local school where he recently graduated.
Still, the tuition request for Gaspar’s daughter, Emma Burns, has been denied; she was set to attend her freshman year at the school this fall.
“A tuition waiver would help to recognize Mrs. Gaspar’s significant contributions to the children of Litchfield and the positive impact she has had on our community,” states one of three online petitions signed by more than 260 students, alumni and residents. “It would also serve to demonstrate that, as our elected representatives, you acknowledge to the broader Litchfield community that you share our educational commitments and values, will represent our interests and faithfully execute your duties and recognize the faculty within the school system. This simple measure would help to ameliorate the recent downward trend in our school system.”
Several residents peacefully held signs outside of the high school this week urging the school board to reconsider its decision on the waiver request.
The board, in its statement to the public about the matter, explained that New Hampshire schools are funded largely by taxpayers, and students must be legal residents of a local school district in order to be enrolled.
“The residency requirement is carefully considered and enforced by school administrators in determining school enrollment. There are multiple state and federal laws that govern legal residence,” said the release, noting that the education of every student has associated costs. School officials said the four-year cost of attendance at Campbell High School is about $60,000.
Gaspar, who could not be reached for comment on Thursday, has taught at the local school since 2000 when it opened. Aside from her teaching duties, she has planned school trips to New York and Boston, has organized the school’s annual fashion show and served as a class adviser.
“These things might seem small, but the time and effort she puts into them is astronomical. We believe that the least you can do for all this commitment is to allow her daughter to attend free of charge. Not only is Mrs. Gaspar an amazing person for our school, but her daughter, Emma, would also be a great addition,” states one of the petitions.
Despite the significant amount of support for the local teacher, some residents believe the board made the right decision in denying the tuition waiver request. Some argue online that if an exception is made for one teacher, it will have to be made for all teachers, which could ultimately have a tax impact. Others claim the teacher, although she seems to be a strong addition to the school system, should have made it a priority to move to Litchfield if she wanted her children to be enrolled in the schools.
“Simply put, this seems to come down to a money issue. If there is space for an out of towner to attend, why should the town waive tuition … seems like favoritism or special treatment looking at it from the outside,” Dave Cady said in an online statement.
The school board said it will continue to examine its tuition and admission policies, adding it will also listen to public concerns.
“We likewise request that the public respect and trust that we have been exposed to personal and private information and facts that are not publicly known,” the board said.
“These private details are fully considered as we make decisions that follow applicable laws and are fair and consistent to all,” said the board.
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