Education reform lawsuit filed

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - A teacher's union is hoping to throw out Governor Jindal's historic effort to reform education; much of it is law now.

Supporters of the Governor's plan are quick to respond saying it's all about the children and their future.

The Louisiana Federation of Teachers filed two lawsuits Thursday morning at the 19^th Judicial Court. The group headed into court with issues about the changes to the school funding plan that lawmakers approved Monday; the last day of session. They also has an issue with the massive education reform bill passed at the beginning of session.

LFT representatives claim the addition of vouchers and changes to teacher tenure are unconstitutional. They argue the Constitution states every bill should be limited to one object; whereas the education reform bills hit on more than one issue.

"The constitutional requirement is that the funding that goes through that minimum foundation program is supposed to go to public, elementary and secondary education; it didn't happen. The legislature violated the will of the people as expressed in the Constitution and we're here to stand up for that constitution," said LFT President Steve Monaghan.

"It angers me because I want better education for my son so for them to try to stop this scholarship program is just ridiculous to me," said parent Crystal Nixon.

"We understand clearly that this is a part of the process. This is something they've done on the national stage so we're not surprised by it but the reality of it is that children's lives are at stake," said Eric Lewis, member of the Louisiana Black Alliance for Educational Options.

This is the first lawsuit filed against the Education Reform. The Louisiana Federation of Teachers adds they are asking the court to issue a preliminary injunction to stop the process in its tracks.

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