Supreme Court hears arguments for religious schools case

The six conservative justices seemed ready to rule that a school voucher program in Maine cannot exclude religious institutions, but the three liberal justices worried that using taxpayer money for “religious inculcation” sets a wrong precedent. The program in question provides aid to rural Maine parents to send their children to public or private schools in other areas, but only if they are “nonsectarian” organizations. The court is expected to release its decision in June. 

What is the case about? Parents tried to send their children to two Maine schools that teach Biblical principles in class but found they could not use the state vouchers. The program requirements state the school that parents choose does not have to be in the state or even the country, but Maine refused funding for places that would use the money for religious activities or curriculum. Justice Stephen Breyer said government money should not get tangled with religious beliefs, but Justice Brett Kavanaugh said the rule likely constitutes religious discrimination.

Dig deeper: Read Steve West’s report in Liberties about a similar Supreme Court case regarding rural Vermont schools.