RI mom asked to pay $117K to see curriculum of teacher who called Charlie Kirk ‘piece of garbage’

BARRINGTON, RHODE ISLAND: A Rhode Island mother was hit with a $117,132 bill after requesting access to curriculum materials and emails belonging to a high school teacher who publicly mocked Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk following his death on September 10.

In a letter sent in late September, the law firm representing Barrington Public Schools informed Nicole Solas that the cost of fulfilling her public records request would exceed $117,000.

The request sought to review the teaching materials and emails of social studies teacher Benjamin Fillo, who was placed on administrative leave after posting a video calling Kirk “a piece of garbage.”

Nicole Solas says fees to access curriculum materials 'should be zero'

According to the district’s legal counsel, gathering Benjamin Fillo’s emails containing the word "Trump" since 2016 would cost $1,099 in total, while accessing his teaching materials, including handouts, worksheets, videos, and resources, would add another $116,033.

“This estimate that we received is exorbitant, completely unreasonable, just to get the curriculum materials,” Solas told Fox News Digital on Thursday. “Quite frankly, it should be zero because these are curriculum materials that the taxpayer has already paid for.”

Solas is a longtime transparency advocate who previously faced a lawsuit from the National Education Association Rhode Island after filing public records requests about political indoctrination in public schools. She said her latest request is part of a broader effort to ensure parents can access classroom content.

Benjamin Fillo shared a shocking video after Charlie Kirk's death

Shortly after Charlie Kirk’s death during a speaking event at Utah Valley University, Benjamin Fillo shared a now-deleted video in which he blasted the conservative activist.

“Charlie Kirk hated the LGBTQ community and hated women’s rights,” Fillo said in the clip. “He thought he proved how tough he was with his words. What a piece of garbage. Look what happens. Bye, Charlie!”

The video quickly circulated online, sparking outrage among parents and prompting Barrington Public Schools to place Fillo on administrative leave pending investigation.

Parents call for accountability and curriculum transparency

Several parents from the district spoke out against both Benjamin Fillo’s comments and the steep fee imposed on Nicole Solas’ request.

“Mr Fillo’s social media tirade was shocking to watch,” said Morgan Hollenbrook, whose children previously attended Barrington Public Schools. “Taxpayers have a right to this information that should be readily available, and the actions of BPS lead one to believe there’s something to hide.”

Heather Ryan, a parent and member of Turning Point USA Action RI, added, “No Christian family of any partisan ideology should feel comfortable with Ben Fillo teaching their child behind closed doors.”

Meanwhile, Kiela Daley, a mother of five in the district, stressed that “transparency in the classroom is essential for maintaining trust between educators and families.” She added, “Parents have the right to see what is being taught without having to pay an astronomical fee.”

Nicole Solas has demanded that Barrington Public Schools reduce or eliminate the exorbitant fee

Nicole Solas, backed by the Goldwater Institute and attorney James McGlone, has since demanded that Barrington Public Schools reduce or eliminate the fee.

“If you can’t get the materials because you are stonewalled deliberately with an unreasonable fee, then we don’t have open government,” she said.

The school district has not publicly commented beyond confirming that Fillo remains on leave as the investigation continues.