The Indiana State Teachers Association this morning filed suit against the state asking a Marion County court to block implementation of the new school vouchers law.
The suit argues that school vouchers, which redirect a portion of state aid from public school districts to private schools for some low and middle income parents, violate the state constitution. According to the suit, the state constitution forbids the use of tax dollars to support religious institutions and requires public education funds to be spent only on a “uniform system of common schools,” that are open to all. The suit argues that private schools do not qualify as part of that system.
The union asked for a preliminary injunction to prevent the program from launching this fall. The law that created vouchers goes into effect today.
“There is no question that this law violates the provisions of the Indiana Constitution that protect taxpayer dollars from being funneled to private, religious and for-profit organizations,” said Teresa Meredith, a Shelbyville teacher and ISTA vice president. “This voucher program will provide public funds to private schools that can give individual preference to students based on test scores, disabilities, wealth and personal faith. Such preferences should not be publicly funded.”
This story will be updated. Read more in Saturday’s Indianapolis Star.
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Tags:
School Vouchers, Vouchers