Breaking News: ACLU Challenge To Nevada School Voucher Law Focuses On Sectarian Issues

 On Thursday, December 10, Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt will ask Judge Eric Johnson of the Eighth Judicial District Court in Clark County to dismiss the lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada (ACLU) challenging Senate Bill 302 (SB 302), Nevada’s new voucher law. Lawyers for the ACLU are expected to vigorously oppose the Attorney General’s request.Educate Nevada Now (ENN), a campaign of The Rogers Foundation focused on improving Nevada’s public schools, supports the ACLU lawsuit to block implementation of the unconstitutional voucher law. The ACLU lawsuit is different, however, from the parents’ lawsuit, backed by ENN – Lopez v. Schwartz.

The parents’ lawsuit claims the new voucher law violates the Education Article in three ways: 1) by diverting public school funding to private schools; 2) by reducing public school funding below the amount determined to be “sufficient” by the Legislature; and 3) by funding private schools exempt from the anti-discrimination and accountability standards that are applicable to Nevada’s “uniform” public schools. The ACLU suit is focused primarily on the use of funds for religious education.

The parents’ lawsuit is pending before Judge James Wilson in the First Judicial District Court in Carson City. A hearing on the case is scheduled for Wednesday, January 6, 2016, at 1:30 p.m. in the Carson City courthouse.

For more information on Lopez v. Schwartz visit, educatenevadanow.com