Betsy Brenner wants to know ‘What changed?’

A year ago, the longtime Barrington resident visited health classes at the high school to share a talk on eating disorders. Brenner said district administrators approved the event, which, she said, was warmly received.

“It went very, very well,” Brenner said. 

Brenner was expecting another stellar experience this year when she was invited back for a second round of health class visits. She planned the presentations to take place during National Eating Disorder Awareness Week and had carved out an entire day from her busy schedule. 

“I set aside the whole day,” she said. “I was really looking forward to it.”

But less than 48 before her visit, Brenner received a phone call. She said BHS Principal Chris Ashley called to tell her that her visit to the health classes was being put on hold. 

“I was very upset,” Brenner said. 

According to Brenner, some parents had voiced concerns about the presentation. Brenner said a member of the Barrington School Committee had contacted school officials. 

Brenner said the last-minute cancelation was hurtful and disrespectful, especially considering how much time she has given Barrington High School over the years. For more than a decade, Brenner served as a tennis coach at BHS. 

Brenner said there is a framework already established by the schools that allows for students to opt out of presentations or similar events. She questioned why school officials would veer from normal procedures on this occasion. 

“They bowed to her (the School Committee member’s) request rather than follow policy,” she said. 

Brenner said she sent all of her speaking points to school officials before the event. 

“There were no surprises,” she said. 

Barrington Superintendent Rob Wargo and Principal Ashley shared a statement regarding the situation:

"We understand the concerns regarding the cancellation of Betsy Brenner's scheduled visit to Barrington High School in February. Our priority is to ensure students receive comprehensive information on health issues. We regret any inconvenience this may have caused Ms. Brenner and we appreciate her willingness to share her story with teens in our community. We remain committed to providing our students with a wide array of learning opportunities."

Purpose and passion

During a recent interview with the Barrington Times, Brenner said she presents dozens of speaking events on eating disorders every year. Brenner’s 2021 book titled “The Longest Match, rally to defeat an eating disorder in midlife,” details her story of discovery and recovery from an eating disorder. 

“My story gives hope to those who are struggling,” Brenner said.

“It is my passion. It is my purpose.”

According to her website, Brenner has had recent speaking engagements with Morgan’s Message, which is a group of high school and collegiate student athlete campus ambassadors, with students at URI and Plymouth State University, and with patients at numerous residential treatment centers across the country. Brenner said she also held speaking events at other high schools — some events in person and others virtually. 

Brenner said she tailors her presentations to her different audiences. For an event with high school students, Brenner said she focuses more on general education and awareness, and what people can do if they suspect a friend or family member needs help. 

Brenner said health classes are a good setting to share a talk on eating disorders. She added that her lived experiences qualify her as an expert in the field. 

“I have never had an issue in another community,” she said. 

Brenner said she shared an email exchange with the School Committee member following the situation. She said School Committee members would not know the extent of the work that Brenner does. She added that School Committee members should not be determining which experts teachers can invite to their classes for presentations to students. 

“The whole experience doesn’t have me wanting to run back there,” Brenner said.