Plaintiffs in ‘Wisconsin PTA’ Case File Brief opposing efforts by outside groups to intervene
Plaintiffs—including the Wisconsin PTA, a coalition of public school parents and educators, and several local education associations—have filed a brief opposing efforts by outside groups to join the case as defendants. Plaintiffs are represented by Law Forward, along with co-counsel from the Wisconsin Education Association Council.
The filing makes clear that this lawsuit is narrowly focused on whether Wisconsin is meeting its constitutional obligation to adequately fund public schools—and does not challenge or seek to change private school voucher programs.
The brief argues that the groups seeking to intervene are attempting to introduce issues that are not part of the case, particularly debates around vouchers. It also notes that their interests, to the extent they are at all implicated by the lawsuit, are already represented by existing parties, including the Legislature, and that adding additional defendants would unnecessarily complicate and delay the case. The court will now decide whether those groups will be allowed to participate as parties moving forward.
Below is a statement from Jeff Mandell, President and General Counsel at Law Forward:
“This case is about ensuring Wisconsin meets its constitutional obligation to fund public schools so every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. It is not about private school voucher programs, nor does it seek to change or challenge those programs.
“At its core, this is about students, families, and communities, and the reality that our state is not living up to its responsibility to provide a strong public education system. Attempts to expand this case beyond that focus risk delaying progress and diverting attention from the real issue at hand.
“We remain focused on moving this case forward in a way that is clear, grounded, and centered on what matters most: delivering on Wisconsin’s promise to its public school students and everyone who relies on public schools.”