Wisconsin on Tuesday joined several states and the District of Columbia in suing the U.S. Department of Education and Secretary Betsy DeVos, arguing its policy dictating how states share federal pandemic relief funds with private schools is unconstitutional and siphons much-needed funding from public schools.
“The funds allocated to schools in the CARES Act provide vital support at a time when schools have had to make significant changes to the way they teach students,” said Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul.
“Instead of ignoring congressional intent and diverting funds away from public schools, Secretary DeVos should follow the law.”
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Plaintiffs include the states of Michigan, California, Maine and New Mexico.
At issue is a rule issued by DeVos’ office in late June that spells out how states are to allocate a portion of their K-12 funds under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, or CARES, act, with private schools.
Notes and links on the state of Wisconsin’s taxpayer supported K-12 governance.