Judge temporarily halts school vouchers

CHEYENNE — A district court judge has temporarily halted payouts from Wyoming’s Education Savings Account program, which were scheduled to go out Tuesday, while he considers action in an ongoing lawsuit.

Earlier this month, several Wyoming parents and the Wyoming Education Association filed a lawsuit against the state, claiming the Steamboat Legacy Scholarship Act violated the state Constitution.

The act introduced a new universal school voucher program, which expanded the existing Education Savings Account program. The voucher program now offers families $7,000 per child annually for non-public school education costs, primarily private or homeschool education, regardless of income.

The lawsuit asks the courts to block the program, which the plaintiffs say violates the Wyoming Constitution by using taxpayer dollars to fund private education. Plaintiffs also argue the voucher program does not guarantee a uniform and quality education for students.

In an effort to ensure that no funds are allocated while the case is pending, the plaintiffs filed a Motion for Preliminary Injunction, which would temporarily prohibit the Steamboat Legacy Scholarship Act from distributing ESA funds.

On Friday, both parties appeared in Laramie County District Court for a hearing, after which Judge Peter Froelicher determined that he would temporarily halt the allocation of ESA funds while he “took the matter under advisement.”

During that time, the program is still allowed to process applications and pay employees. He noted that he intends to have a formal opinion written by “mid-July-ish.”