Religious schools in northeastern Maine have been slow to accept state funds for students due to policies associated with the aid.
Schools are able to receive assistance due to the June US Supreme Court ruling. The court ruled that Maine must include religious schools in a program that provides financial assistance to students in rural areas without public schools.
Parents of students in religious schools sued the state. they wanted lecture Help given to other parents. The case reached the US Supreme Court.
But so far, only one religious high school in Maine has enrolled in the assistance program this fall.
Maine’s attorney general has warned schools that when accepting financial aid, they will have to comply with existing anti-discrimination laws. These include laws that include students and teachers who belong to LGBTQ social communication. This development alarmed some of the families involved in the case.
David Carson had a daughter at Bangor Christian School when his family and others filed a lawsuit in 2018. He told The Associated Press that he now feels his hands are tied, which means he feels that what he can do is now limited. “The state said you can take the money, but we’ll handcuff you,” Carson said.
Religious high schools with a known interest in combating tuition fees include two Roman Catholic-supported schools, along with schools in the cities of Bangor, Waterville, and Holton.
Last year, officials said, 29 private schools participated in the educational assistance programme. More than 4,500 students participated in this effort. Schools that meet state requirements can get about $12,000 per student in taxpayer assistance.
Marcus Mruca is the official spokesperson for public education. He confirmed that only one religious school has registered in the program so far. Mroka said officials will need to check the school’s application before issuing assistance.
Michael Bendas is an attorney at the Virginia-based Justice Institute, a nonprofit law firm that has represented families in Maine. He told The Associated Press that he’s not surprised that schools have been slow to decide whether to participate in the program. He said this because of the questions asked by the attorney general.
However, these open questions will be resolved in due course, and we certainly expect from religious schools to shareBendas said.
Carol Conley is the principal of the Civic Christian Association of Maine, and a former administrator of a Christian school. He said the effects are likely to be felt most during the 2023-24 school year. “People want to see it happen, but schools are working caution. “It’s a big change,” Conley said.
Maine’s attorney general, Aaron Fry, has criticized the Supreme Court’s ruling. He said all schools accepting public funding, including religious schools, must comply with the state’s human rights law. The law prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race, gender, and gender directionor race or disability. This means that schools should accept gay and transgender Fry said teachers and pupils.
Fry added that both the Christian schools associated with the legal process – Temple Academy in Waterville and Bangor Christian School – have policies that discriminate against students and staff on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Tom Brown is Head of Bangor Christian School and leads a religious center associated with the school. In a statement emailed to The Associated Press, he said his organization is currently “processing” the attorney general’s statements. He stressed that no students will receive state aid with tuition fees this fall.
I’m Brian Lynn.
The Associated Press reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English.
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The words in this story
lecture – n. The money paid to the school for the right to study there
LGBTQ – n. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and gay/sexual identity questioning
to share – Fifth. to participate in something
caution – characteristic Take care to avoid dangers or dangers
(sexually or sexually) – n. How someone thinks about their gender or sexuality
transgender – characteristic It relates to people who feel that their true nature is that they belong to the opposite sex
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