Bench trial begins on Missouri school voucher lawsuit

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Cole County judge heard arguments Monday in the first day of a two-day bench trial over a lawsuit that challenges the constitutionality of general revenue funds being used for scholarships to help pay for private K-12 education.

The lawsuit, which was filed on behalf of the Missouri chapter of the National Education Association (NEA), was filed in response to appropriations made in House Bill 12. The spending measure included $51 million allocated to the MO Scholars program.

“Missouri NEA firmly believes that this is an unconstitutional action on behalf of the state and the (Missouri) Treasurer’s Office,” Missouri NEA President Rebeka McIntosh said outside of the courthouse. “Public money belongs in public schools, and this money could be used to fund up to a thousand public school teachers for smaller classes and one-on-one instruction.”

CLICK HERE TO READ ARGUMENTS FROM THE STATE OF MISSOURI

CLICK HERE TO READ ARGUMENTS FROM MISSOURI NEA

Among remedies being sought, the plaintiffs are asking the court to halt any additional funds from being transferred from general revenue to the MO Scholars program.

The bench trial resumes Tuesday, and it’s not clear when Judge Brian Stumpe will make a ruling on the matter. Most judgements in Missouri aren’t bound by a set timeline for when decisions have to be made.