Ruling resurrects DougCo’s school-voucher program

Mar 4, 2013

Julie Poppen / EdNews Colorado

Douglas County’s school voucher program does not violate the state constitution, the Colorado Court of Appeals said in a 2-1 ruling Thursday, overturning a lower court’s finding that the program is unconstitutional.

The ruling won’t have an immediate impact on the district’s pilot Choice Scholarship Program, which would allow Douglas County students to attend private and even religious schools using public funds, district officials said. The program remains on hold.

But the district is hailing the ruling as a victory in a case that may have national ramifications.

“This is incredibly positive news and a huge victory for the students and parents of Douglas County,” said Douglas County Public Schools board President John Carson. “We know that each student learns differently, and our goal is to provide every parent with the opportunity to choose the best possible educational environment for their child.”

Plaintiffs in the case, including the Taxpayers for Public Education, vowed to appeal the ruling to the Colorado Supreme Court. …read full story by EdNews Colorado

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Tags: American Civil Liberties Union, Anne Kleinkopf, Colorado Court of Appeals, Dennis Graham, District Judge Robert Martinez, Douglas County Schools, Jerry Jones, John Carson, school vouchers, Steven Bernard, Taxpayers for Public Education