(This story by Bob Audette was published in the Brattleboro Reformer on Jan. 24, 2018.)
[P]UTNEY — In a letter distributed to staffers and families with students at The Grammar School, the head of school, Nick Perry, wrote that “financial misconduct in the front office involving inappropriate use of school funds …” had been discovered.
As a result, the woman who ran the “day-to-day front office operations of the school” submitted her resignation letter on Friday.
“After an executive session among the Board of Trustees on Friday,” wrote Perry in the letter, “it was determined that the authorities should be contacted. On Friday evening, our attorney … contacted the State Police in this regard. In the event that the state prosecutor decides to press charges, it is likely that the prosecutor’s office will seek restitution [full repayment of the expenses]. While this investigation is ongoing we cannot comment further on the details.”
Tracy Shriver, the Windham County state’s attorney, had no comment on whether an investigation is being conducted.
The Grammar School is a private K-8 school with just over 100 students, some of whom come from school choice towns. Tuition is set by grade and ranges from $14,300 for kindergarten to $18,500 for eighth grade.
Perry also noted “The systemic deficiencies in our accounting process that allowed this to happen have been rectified. Furthermore, we are working with our accountant to improve our processes. This will not happen again.”
Perry asked that staffers and family members treat the situation with “delicacy” as the school “work[s] through this process.”
“We know this is difficult, but this has been handled quickly and professionally. The Grammar School remains a great school and we will persevere in the face of this challenge, as we have with many others.”
Students were told that the person “had to leave for personal reasons,” wrote Perry. “The students were assured that she was physically OK, that her departure was not due to physical illness.”
“We ask that you use your discretion as your child(ren)’s parents as to whether any further discussion with your child is warranted,” wrote Perry. “One possible topic may be that your child did not have a chance to say goodbye. We are encouraging students to write a card if they feel so inclined. Also, our faculty members have been instructed to refrain from speaking to [her] about this while the investigation is active. I would encourage the same of all our parents and community.”
Perry urged family members, staffers and community members to contact him if they have questions about the situation, and added that he would be directing any calls from the media to The Grammar School’s attorney.
The Reformer has requested comment from Perry and The Grammar School’s attorney, but no response had been received as of 1 p.m. Tuesday.
“We know this is difficult, but this has been handled quickly and professionally,” wrote Perry. “The Grammar School remains a great school and we will persevere in the face of this challenge, as we have with many others.”
The Grammar School is looking for a permanent replacement for the front desk position, added Perry.
According to The Grammar School’s website, the front desk person has “cared for everyone at The Grammar School — students, parents, grandparents, alumni, staff, and faculty. In addition to answering phones, fielding questions, solving problems large and small, guiding volunteers, overseeing mailings, and applying Band-Aids, [she] drives the southern bus route.”
