Mayor: "Utterly Disappointed" with Father-Daughter Dance Ban

Cranston Mayor Allan W. Fung issued a statement in which he said he's "utterly dissapointed" that the school district has banned father-daughter dances.

"I am utterly disappointed to have such a time-honored tradition under attack in the name of political correctness.  Traditions like this are what make up the fabric of our childhood memories and definitely contribute to the well being of our children as a whole," Fung said.

The district banned the dances at the start of the school year after school district lawyers concluded they violated state gender discrimination laws. The review was sparked by a letter sent to the district by the state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union after a parent contacted them with a complaint.

"In the zeal to protect people who feel they are being disenfranchised, this policy has completely denied our children of one of the most cherished traditions in their school experience.  I sympathize with these parents because it seems once again that Cranston is at the epicenter of another attack on our traditions by the ACLU," he said.

The mayor's office has been flooded with calls from upset parents since the school district decided to ban gender-specific events like the father daughter's dance. The mayor acknowledged that he has no legal authority over the issue, but he implored the school district "to review this decision and find a way to make this work for children and parents."

"I encourage all parents that are upset with this decision to contact their School Committee members and make their voices be heard," Fung said.