Currently, the case is being litigated in Dane County Circuit Court. SB 565, introduced by Senator Weeden at Governor Thompson's request, required voucher schools to create governance structures and be more accountable to state government. This passed the Legislature and became law on April 24, 1996. Representative Polly Williams introduced AB 1008, which would have made private schools more accountable. This failed to pass the Legislature.
Vouchers drain scarce and needed resources away from public schools by subsidizing private schools.
Parochial school vouchers threaten time-honored principles of separation of church and state. Private schools choose the students they want and sometimes reject those with special needs, minorities and the handicapped. Research indicates students attending private or parochial schools do not necessarily have greater school success. As recipients of tax revenue, public schools are audited by the state to ensure fiscal responsibility. Private schools are not accountable to the public.