Re: Lilly Secundy

Mr. Hunter Biden-  Hello.  As an introduction, I am Tom Hurster, a Supervisor in the Child and Family Support Services Department of Benchmark School, who has been working with Lilly and her parents since she began attending Benchmark in December, 2015 (mid 6th grade year).  I have been associated with Benchmark School since August, 1981 in a variety of capacities, and am authorized to represent the school in our discussion as to how to address the outstanding balance of Lilly's tuition account so that she might return for her 8th grade year.

Candidly, it was my idea to approach Liz about the possibility of Vice-President Biden, and/or Dr. Jill Biden, appearing at Benchmark School for a speaking engagement within the upcoming school year, with the Biden's foregoing their usual speaking fees in lieu of Lilly's outstanding tuition.  In essence they would make an address to our community and instead of their being paid for such, their fees would be used to cover Lilly's outstanding tuition, thus allowing her to return for her final year.  Currently the Secundy's owe Benchmark $22,700 (the balance owed for the '15-'16 school year, and the '16-'17 school year- after a tuition assistance grant last year of $20,000); the tuition for Lilly's 8th grade year is $35,300.  This is a total of $58,000.

When I approached Liz, I had originally imagined an evening in our West Performing Arts Center (a state of the art venue which seats 300) wherein a moderator or two would lead a discussion with Dr. Biden (a recognized leading educator with a national profile) and the former Vice President (a leading American statesman, and arguably the de facto head of the Democratic Party), about the current challenges for American education and what the future may hold.  I imagined that we might be able to get a prominent local news person to moderate the discussion, and that attendees would be by invitation/lottery. Presumably there would be press coverage.  I thought maybe there would be a brief closed reception and/or dinner for selected guests before the main event which would be maybe 60-90 minutes, with audience questions, and perhaps a short reception afterwards in the center lobby with light refreshments for the attendees.  Perhaps, in light of Vice President Biden's upcoming book tour, there might be a brief book signing.  I imagined that Dr. Biden would speak as an educator, with a sensitivity to the education of children with special learning needs, with the Vice President offering a political /policy perspective on the role of the federal government in supporting innovative education.   However the specifics of the topic and format are open to discussion and the preferences of the speakers, and would not necessarily be in the format I am imagining. I would think Benchmark would ideally like both present in some way, but that is not absolutely necessary; my thought was it might be more "fun" for them, and we would like to show off Benchmark (and Lilly's school) to them both.  I am aware of how important they are to her.

I imagined  that the event would be connected, perhaps, to a Capital Campaign that Benchmark is about to announce to build an "Innovation Center", to enhance the Benchmark curriculum, and as a multi-disciplinary design and technology center for the use of students. Two of our esteemed alums, Chris and William Sharples (twins) have expressed a desire to "give back" and are the architectural team behind the project (they are donating their time/team).   They are the driving force behind the SHoP Architecture firm in NYC, perhaps best know for the Barclay Center and their work renovating the Manhattan waterfront, and were finalists for the Obama Library (http://www.shoparc.com/projects/).   We of course,are very proud of them, and more than thrilled at their offer and involvement.  They credit their Benchmark education for much of their success (attached is a description of the Innovation Space concept- I can mail a prospectus to you all showing their overall design concept.  It is way cool, and we are very excited).

To summarize, what I imagined was an evening with Vice-President and Dr. Biden discussing the state and future of American education in broad terms.  We could have a moderator to help guide their discussion.  We would honor the speakers (and their invited guests) with a closed attendance reception/dinner, followed by the formal presentation, and a brief general reception (perhaps book signing) in our West Performing Arts Center lobby for attendees.  I imagine the evening would be around 3-4 hours.  We would use the occasion of their appearance to bolster our fund raising efforts for our Innovation Center Capital Campaign.  They would appear, waving their usual speaking fees, in lieu of Lilly's outstanding tuition.  This would allow Lilly to finish out her Benchmark years, help Benchmark in its fund raising campaign for our Innovation Center, and allow the Biden's an opportunity to discuss their views on the future of American education and to promote the Vice President's book.  I hope a win for all of us.  but this would mostly be a "win" for Lilly and her parents.  Lilly has made significant progress with us over the last year and a half, and I am certain that an additional year will put her well along the way towards handling a competitive academic curriculum.   I so very much want to see her return for one more year. 

Other details can be worked out.  Certainly Benchmark can arrange for a limousine to pick up the Vice President and Dr. Biden to transport them to the event from their Delaware home.  We can certainly work with their schedule, although I am imagining something in early November, perhaps before the Vice President's appearance in Philadelphia around his book release.  And perhaps it is too much to ask for both to present, although as I said,  I thought they'd enjoy such.  So we are open to discussion and negotiation.

The big factor now, is timing.  We need to have an agreement, at least in principle,  in place before next Tuesday in order for Lilly to start with the rest of her class (clearly optimal).  There is a Board policy that students cannot return with an outstanding balance (which we have already waved once for Lilly and her parents).  We can't let Lilly start next week until we have resolved her tuition situation. Additionally, candidly, the Benchmark School Board of Directors has not yet approved this proposal, so it remains only a possibility (although I have permission to start the discussion with you as the representative of the Vice President and Dr. Biden).  There have been preliminary discussions with Dr. Robb Gaskins (who is Head of School) and the Board Director, but the finance committee chair and the executive committee must also sign off on the proposal.  Assuming they do so, we would need a letter of intent (a contractual agreement, if you would) from the Bidens, agreeing to a speaking engagement sometime this school year.  And as I have already stated, we are getting very close to the beginning of the school year, so....

I anxiously await your response.  If you would like to speak by phone my numbers are:  610-565-3741 (BMK); 610-525-5030 (my practice office in Bryn Mawr); 610-420-1410 (my mobile).  I also look forward to meeting you in person.  Both Lilly and Liz have had such kind and fond things to share about you.  I understand you are likely traveling abroad, but I do hope we can continue this discussion soon.

Respectfully,

Tom Hurster

Supervisor, Child and Family Support Services

Benchmark School

On Tue, Aug 29, 2017 at 12:52 PM, Liz Secundy <Lizsecundy@aol.com> wrote:

Hi Tom & Hunt

I wanted to introduce you two and share your emails with each other.   I am cautiously optimistic th at together we can come to a solution for Lilly to remain at Benchmark and start next week.   Thank you both for all your support!!!!

hopefully & sincerely,  Liz

Sent from my iPhone
Lizsecundy@aol.com
302-530-0600

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