Woonsocket Appeal Says Court Shirked Duty in Dismissing School Funding Suit

Woonsocket's Aug. 8 appellant brief on the Superior Court's dismissal of a case alleging inadequate state funding for city schools contests the court hasn't lived up to it's responsibility to interpret the law.

Contrary to Superior Court Associate Justice Netti C. Vogel's July 2012 decision, the court does have a say over the General Assembly, the brief says.

The suit, Woonsocket School Committee, et al v. The Honorable Lincoln Chafee, et al, alleged the General Assembly has failed to provide adequate funding to meet obligations they've mandated during the last 15 years. Vogel dismissed the case, stating it is not the court's place to intervene in General Assembly actions.

The brief, posted today by RIfuture.org, argues, in part, "...the “separation of powers” issues raised by the Superior Court to avoid reviewing the merits of this action are overstated, as they would displace the judiciary entirely from its Constitutional responsibility of interpreting the law. See Part C, pp. 31-43, infra."