The National Education Association has sued a mother in Rhode Island who asked what her daughter would be taught in her kindergarten classroom.
Nicole Solas, the target of the NEA’s lawsuit, is now fighting back against the nation’s largest public-sector teachers union with the help of the Goldwater Institute, which describes itself as “a leading free-market public policy research and litigation organization that is dedicated to empowering all Americans to live freer, happier lives.”
“This brazen and unprecedented act of intimidation by the NEA will not stand,” said the Goldwater Institute’s Director of National Litigation Jon Riches, who is representing Solas. “Nicole Solas is entitled to know what her daughter’s school is teaching in the classroom. She’s entitled to ask questions. And she does not deserve to face legal action just for asking questions any concerned parent would ask.”
Nicole had emailed the principal of her child’s school in the South Kingstown School District asking for the kindergarten curriculum and whether it would include teaching the young kids politically charged materials, such as lessons influenced by critical race theory and gender theory. Solas “immediately faced stonewalling from the school, and even a threat of legal action for asking too many questions,” according to the Goldwater Institute. “Ultimately, Nicole received a bill for $74,000 to fulfill a public records request filed by the Goldwater Institute on her behalf in July.”
Now Solas is up against the NEA, which the Goldwater Institute calls a “veritable goliath” that “represents over 2.3 million people nationwide” and has “a budget of over $300 million.”
“The NEA is so determined to push its political agenda that they are willing to expose themselves in a court of law for who they really are: an association of bullies eager to challenge a stay-at-home mom who simply wanted to know what her daughter would be taught,” Solas said. “This lawsuit won’t deter me from asking questions, and I encourage all parents to do the same, so that they are empowered to make informed decisions regarding their children’s education.”
