What is a school bus driver’s role? Most parents would agree that he or she should be focused on getting students to school safely. But is it appropriate for the driver to advocate for children or make comments to them about candidates for local office?

That’s the crux of a free speech case coming out of the Tolland County town of Stafford. A Stafford bus driver, Patricia Russo, who claims she was fired for speaking out against mold in her child’s school and criticizing a local politician, has won the right -- for now -- to bring the saga before a federal court jury.

Russo’s lawyer, Nicole M. Rothgeb, of Livingston, Adler, Pulda Meiklejohn & Kelly P.C. in Hartford, said her client has every right to speak her mind.

"Employees are, and should be, free to exercise their First Amendment right to speak out on important matters without fear of retaliation,” said Rothgeb. “The plaintiff is a private employee, was only acting in her capacity as a concerned parent and citizen, and where there is no dispute that the plaintiff’s speech was constitutionally protected.”

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