Students Lack Standing in Hasidic School Funding Row

Students alleging that school board members unconstitutionally diverted taxpayer funds to Hasidic Jewish schools lack standing to sue, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit held Sept. 12 (Montesa v. Schwartz, 2016 BL 296276, 2d Cir., No. 14-3721-cv, 9/12/16).

Scholars who spoke with Bloomberg BNA disagreed about the decision, which relates to the East Ramapo School District controversy featured in an episode of WBEZ Chicago’s This American Life radio program.

A majority of the district’s board members allegedly diverted public funds to religious schools by manipulating the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act settlement process.

The district’s ...