Protecting Parents: Goldwater Stands with Rhode Island Mom Targeted for Asking Questions

The Goldwater Institute is representing Nicole Solas, a Rhode Island mother who found herself at the center of an unprecedented legal attack simply for trying to learn what her daughter would be taught in public school.

Like any responsible parent, Nicole wanted to know what her local public school planned to teach her kindergartener. But when she asked basic questions about curriculum and lesson plans, the school district refused to answer. Instead, officials told her to submit public records requests to get the information—so she did. As Nicole sought more information about how the school district operates, she submitted additional requests, all entirely lawful and made in good faith.

Rather than respond transparently, the local School Committee threatened to sue her. While that threat was ultimately dropped, the Rhode Island chapter of the National Education Association (NEA-RI), a public-sector union, picked it up—and filed a lawsuit against Nicole and her husband to stop them from obtaining information they’re legally entitled to under the state’s public records law.

The Goldwater Institute is now defending Nicole against this dangerous and unprecedented effort to intimidate citizens into silence. In court, we’re arguing that private parties like the NEA-RI have no standing to block the public’s right to access public information. We’ve also filed an anti-SLAPP motion to protect Nicole’s constitutional and statutory rights from this abusive litigation tactic.

The NEA-RI’s lawsuit isn’t just an attack on Nicole—it’s an attack on every citizen’s right to demand transparency from their government. We’re fighting to protect Nicole’s rights, and to make sure this never happens to another parent again.