A Gainesville political action group is suing the the state to make education its paramount duty.
Citizens For Strong Schools is one of two political action groups suing the state to provide higher-quality education.
In 1998, a clause was voted into the state constitution that made the state legislature’s “paramount duty” to provide high-quality education.
In a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, the state argued that the legislature was responsible for deciding how best to adhere to the language in the Constitution. But on Thursday, a circuit judge in Tallahassee turned down the state’s motion, allowing the case to move to trial.
“In the long run, we hope that when we elect our officials, they understand that education is the lifeblood of any community,” said Mark McGriff, the chairman of Citizens For Strong Schools.
The suit was arranged by the Southern Legal Counsel, which assembled a group of plaintiffs that also includes the Orlando-based Fund Education Now, as well as concerned parents.
McGriff said it will probably take until 2011 for the case to see the courtroom, and then it could take one to five years to reach its conclusion.
He said ultimately, there is no specific goal, except to open up doors to discuss how to improve the education system.
“There is no ABCD list we’re asking for,” he said. “We just want our elected officials to sit and listen to us.”
Jon Mills, a UF law professor and attorney representing the group, said there is precedent for the challenge, and similar cases have been heard in Ohio, Kentucky and Washington.
The state has until Sept. 9 to respond to the suit.
