CARMEL, Calif. -- New information on a central coast mom suing the Carmel Unified School District over claims it fired her for having to take time during her day to pump milk because she was breastfeeding her newborn.
"I wish it wasn't happening," said Sarah Boyle, mother. "I wish it didn't happen to me. It shouldn't have happened to any mom."
Boyle said it weighs heavy on her mind every waking moment.
The job she had as a preschool teacher at the Carmelo Child Development Center in Carmel is now gone.
And she said it's all because of what she believes is her right as a mother.
"I called my manager and let her know that I was a breastfeeding mom and that I would need accommodations to pump for about 15 to 20 minutes every morning between 9 and 11," she said.
But, instead, she said her worst nightmare became a reality.
"And then I was unfortunately met with her response, which I was dumbfounded at, which was: 'You need to start training your breasts not to produce milk between hours of 7 a.m. and 1 p.m.,'" Boyle said.
She filed a lawsuit against the Carmel Unified School District for discrimination and wrongful termination.
The district declines any wrongdoing and stands by its statement it sent Central Coast News last week saying in part: "The district recognizes the immediate and long-term health advantages of breastfeeding for infants and mothers and provides a supportive environment for expressing milk while at work. Over the years, dozens of employees have requested and been granted these accommodations. To our knowledge, no one has ever been denied."
Meantime, Boyle found another job, but said this lawsuit is now about more than just her.
"I think any new mom, any mom, wants to nurture her newborn. It's pretty basic, and it's sad that I'm in this position right now," she said.
She said she really misses teaching, but doesn't think she'll be working for the Carmel Unified School District again.
The court date has not yet been set.
