Concordia’s Nelson Says He Supports Voucher Program Lawsuit

VIDALIA, La. (AP) — The leader of the Concordia Parish school system says he backs a lawsuit against Louisiana's new private school tuition voucher program.

Paul Nelson, the Concordia schools' interim superintendent, was not onboard when the local school board voted in June to joined 33 other school boards and Louisiana's two major teacher unions in the lawsuit.

Nonetheless, Nelson tells the Natchez Democrat that he supports the decision.

The voucher program, pushed through the recent legislative session by Gov. Bobby Jindal, is aimed at children from low- to moderate-income families who attend low-performing public schools. It would allow those children to attend private schools at taxpayer expense.

Opponents argue that the program diverts money meant for local schools and raised through local taxes to private schools in violation of the state constitution.