ACLU launches lawsuit against Nevada school voucher law

Source: Las Vegas Sun

Nevada’s sweeping new school voucher program is facing a lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union, which claims it violates state laws prohibiting public money being used for religious purposes.

“The education savings account law passed this last legislative session tears down the walls separating church and state erected in Nevada’s constitution,” said Tod Story, president of the Nevada ACLU. “So today we have filed a lawsuit to stop this unconstitutional program.”

The program, passed as SB302 by lawmakers earlier this year, goes far beyond similar voucher programs elsewhere in the country. Instead of only being available to certain families based on income or special needs, it is available to any family whose child is attending public school. Those who qualify will receive around $5,000 to spend on things like private school tuition, tutoring or distance education.

... Spring Valley Christian Academy, one of the Las Vegas private schools cited by the ACLU, outlines in its school handbook the “Pledge of Allegiance to the Bible,” where students are told to repeat the words “I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God’s Holy Word.”

Read more: http://lasvegassun.com/news/2015/aug/27/aclu-launches-lawsuit-against-nevada-school-vouche/