Mother Banned From Voluntering at Daughter’s School
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
The Rhode Island ACLU is suing the Cranston School District over a new policy that is barring a mother from volunteering at her daughter’s elementary school because of a past drug conviction.
Jessica Gianfrocco was arrested and charged with a felony possession of heroin in 2002, but says she has now been drug-free for six years. She volunteered at her daughter’s daycare and for her cheerleading team—but was told she could not be a volunteer at her elementary school. School officials told her there was no process for appealing the decision.
“I strongly feel that I have been discriminated against and unfairly stigmatized because of my past,” Gianfrocco said. “I’ve worked hard to turn my life around, and my daughter should have the same opportunity as every other child.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTIn its suit that ACLU notes that school teachers, vendors, and others are not automatically disqualified from working in schools because of a criminal record or drug-related offense.
The suit seeks a court order declaring the new policy is unlawful.