PROVIDENCE, R.I.—A federal judge is set to hear arguments in a lawsuit by parents of Pawtucket school students against the city's top parks and recreation official over claims he gave preferential treatment to a Catholic school.
The lawsuit alleges that William Mulholland and other Pawtucket officials allowed St. Raphael Academy, a parochial school, to use public athletic fields while denying Pawtucket public schools access to them.
The parents say this is unconstitutional and violates the separation of church and state. City officials deny any favoritism.
The plaintiffs are represented by lawyers from the Rhode Island chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.
Arguments on a motion of summary judgment in the lawsuit are scheduled to be heard Thursday in U.S. District Court in Providence.
