KALAMAZOO (WKZO AM/FM) — The Kalamazoo School Board has authorized filing another lawsuit against the state, this time over a budget proposal that would reimburse private schools with taxpayer’s dollars.
The State Constitution expressly forbids the funding of private parochial schools directly or indirectly with public funds, but some conservative lawmakers wanted to test it last year.
They included a $2.5 million budget item to reimburse private schools for state mandated requirements like doing background checks on employees, compliance with building health and fire codes and immunizations.
Expecting it to be challenged and having his own doubts, Governor Snyder asked the State Supreme Court for an expedited ruling on the constitutionality of the funding.
Now that the Justices have declined to take up the issue, the court fight is now expected to occur and opponents are preparing their cases.
It may wind up back in the State Supreme Court, but not until its gone through the lower courts first. If and when that happens, Supt. Michael Rice is now authorized to join the fray.
Private schools have until June 15th to apply for the funding and the state has until August 15th to distribute the money. When the challenges will be filed is not clear.
Public School officials fear that if they don’t draw the line and defend the issue, that it will be the beginning of a flood of public dollars headed to private schools, and another drain on their own finances.
