Douglas County OKs vouchers but religious schools dropped

Douglas County is re-launching its embattled school voucher program but excluding religious schools this time.

The school board voted 4-3 to back the new approach late Tuesday, five years to the day after approving the initial voucher program. The Denver Post reports that the board’s three newest members, elected in November, opposed it.

The Colorado Supreme Court ruled in June that the original voucher program violated the state constitution because it provided funding for students to attend religious schools. The school district has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to consider the case.

Last week, school board member Doug Benevento told Chalkbeat Colorado that religious schools will be added back to the voucher program if the district prevails at the Supreme Court.