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Controversial school vouchers bill would change Indiana's education system.
Indiana’s Choice Scholarship bill, establishing the broadest school voucher program in the country, is now facing a challenge in state court.
A lawsuit filed in Marion County Superior Court Friday by 12 individuals with support from the Indiana State Teacher’s Association and the National Education Association says the new voucher program is unconstitutional.
They say it draws money away from the constitutionally-required public school system and gives money to fund religious education. In a statement, Governor Mitch Daniels said the lawsuit is about the teachers union putting its financial self-interest ahead of Hoosier children and low-income families.
Shelbyville teacher Teresa Meredith, one of the plaintiffs in the suit, says, as a mother of four public school students, she’s offended by the governor’s comment.
“I don’t want the future of their public school education that is top notch,” he said, “to be jeopardized so that we can fund religious education.”
State Superintendent Tony Bennett said in a statement he expected a lawsuit and is confident the courts will uphold the law.
