Group Backing D303 Lawsuit Considers Options After Hearing in Federal Court

A citizens’ group trying to legally halt District 303's school merger plan is considering its next step after a Thursday hearing in federal court.

The group, represented by attorney Michael Lotus, originally filed a two weeks ago arguing that D303 tried to circumvent rules governing schools, including academic progress standards, when the school board approved a plan to combine .

District 303, which has denied the allegations, moved the case to federal court on the grounds the group is arguing violations of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

"I don't think we particularly agree to that," Lotus said, noting the group's complaint is based on state laws.

The group is expected to revise its original complaint in the next two weeks, a move likely to guide the venue issue. Another hearing is scheduled for May 5.

"Either way, we're going to push forward," Lotus said of the case.

An attorney for District 303 said he expected a statement to be released late Thursday or early Friday.

Filed March 31, the local lawsuit sought to block the school merger because, among other things, it was being done—without a scientific basis—to boost test scores without addressing the needs of struggling students, according to court records.

The group also contends the district didn’t properly publicize information on the merger plan, partly because of the April 5 school board elections, the lawsuit states.