Indiana School Voucher Program Will Go Forward During Lawsuit

Marion County

Marion County Court Judge Michael D. Keele.

Indiana’s private and parochial school voucher program can go forward even as it faces a court challenge, an Indianapolis judge ruled Monday night.

Marion Superior Court Judge Michael Keele decided not to halt the program because arguments against it — namely, the vouchers violate the separation of church and state by using public money to fund religious schools — are unlikely to succeed at trial.

A spokesperson for the Indiana State Teachers Association, which backed the lawsuit, said he was disappointed by the ruling, and the organization will evaluate its options going forward.

Indiana attorney general Greg Zoeller, charged with defending the program, issued a statement calling the ruling “a victory for Hoosier students and families currently utilizing the choice scholarship program.

“The court’s ruling indicates there is not an immediate need to halt the program and disrupt the start of the school year for these students,” the statement read.

Voucher program supporter School Choice Indiana issued a statement praising Keele’s decision.

“This is a victory for all low- and middle-income Indiana families who strive to provide quality education to their children by finding a school that fits their learning needs,” the statement read.

Indiana Public Broadcasting statehouse reporter Brandon Smith reported on this story from Indianapolis.