Cranston scout recruiting in question

CRANSTON, R.I. (AP/WPRI) -- Cranston's school superintendent has called for a review of policy allowing the Cub Scouts to recruit on school grounds.

The Providence Journal reports that Superintendent Judith A. Lundsten initially decided the Cub Scouts could not use the district's schools to seek new members. But she reconsidered after learning that previous administrators had allowed Scout troops to use the school.

School department chief operating officer Ray Votto told Eyewitness News Tuesday afternoon that for the time being, the scouts will be allowed in schools. The School Committee plans to revisit the matter at a later date, he said.

Lundsten said her request for a policy review has nothing to do with the Boy Scouts' recently reaffirmed policy excluding gay men and lesbians as members and adult leaders. Lundsten says policy generally bars groups coming into the schools overall.

Lundsten recently discontinued father-daughter dances and mother-son ball games, which are illegal under a state gender-discrimination law. The School Committee has asked the General Assembly to change the law.

As of Tuesday at noon, the Narragansett Council of the Boy Scouts of America had not commented on the matter.