COLUMBIANA, Ala. (WVTM) – An Alabama cafeteria worker has been fired for collecting donations to pay for student lunches.
The Shelby County School Board decided to terminate Avette Dunn following a hearing on the matter Tuesday.
Officials said it was Dunn’s dishonesty when she was questioned that their decision was based on.
Board members also said Dunn went out of bounds of her job duties in asking for donations.
In her testimony to the board, Dunn said she wanted to ensure no child went hungry.
The district said no child has ever been denied lunch at the worker’s elementary school.
“I made a mistake and I think I should be able to go back to my job,” Dunn said. “In my opinion, I think I should have just got suspended for two weeks, but I’ve been off since October.”
Dunn’s lawyers said there is not a specific rule that bans employees from asking for donations.
For example, they compared teachers who often do the same through online wish lists and fundraisers to provide supplies for their classrooms.
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