BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – The United States Supreme Court is currently deciding whether or not to hear a school choice case involving the state of Maine.

Carson v. Makin is based on Maine’s Tuition Assistance Program for students who live in cities without a public high school.

Three families represented in the lawsuit are from Orrington, Glenburn and Palermo.

The high school tuition voucher program covers the cost of students to attend the school of their choice, but only if it does not teach religion.

The Institute for Justice maintains that this is unconstitutional.

Last fall, the 1st United States Court of Appeals upheld Maine’s religious exclusion rules.

The move came after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in a Montana case appeared to open the door to more public funding for religious schools.

Michael Bindas, lead lawyer in the case, spoke to TV5 about the implications of the case for parents and children.

“In a program like the one in Maine, it is the parents, not the government, who decide where a child’s tuition allowance is used. This private and independent choice of parents breaks any link between church and state, and if parents believe that a school that provides a religious institution is best for their child, they should be allowed to make that choice ”, said Bindas, senior lawyer for the Institute for Justice. .

Bindas says he’s waiting for the Supreme Court’s ruling on the case this week.

He says if the case is accepted, an initial hearing date could arrive in October.

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