Maine to debate public funding for private schools in appeals court [Video]

Two religious schools in Maine are headed to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Boston on Tuesday. The schools want taxpayers to pay for private education even if that school violates the Maine Human Rights Act. The Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in Carson v. Makin ruled the state of Maine must fund religious education at private schools for students that do not have a public high school in their town. As it stands now in Maine law, the schools have to comply with anti-discrimination provisions in State law.One of the schools, St. Dominic Academy, said they are being punished for providing an education that aligns with their religious beliefs.“Parents shouldn’t be discriminated against for wanting an education that is best for their children,” said Benjamin Fleshman, counsel at Becket, which represents St. Dominic Academy. “Unfortunately, Maine officials are doing just that to rural families across …