Groups suing to block state funds for private schools

(AP) — Public school advocates said Tuesday that they're going to sue the state of Michigan in an effort to stop it from spending public money to help private schools cover the cost of complying with state requirements such as safety drills.

The Michigan Association of School Boards and groups representing school districts and administrators said the planned spending is illegal because the state constitution prohibits spending public money on private schools and the state Senate fell short of the minimum two-thirds vote that would have been needed to allocate the aid for a private purpose.

The funds will reimburse private schools this summer for the cost of meeting requirements such as fire drills, bus inspections, immunization reporting and background checks.

A 1970 voter-approved amendment to Michigan's constitution prohibits spending public money to directly or indirectly aid or maintain parochial and other private schools being attended by roughly 100,000 students.