Set Back in Idaho School Fees Court Case

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A judge dismissed dozens of Idaho school districts from a lawsuit over the constitutionality of forcing students to pay school fees. Fourth District Judge Richard Greenwood's decision leaves just the Meridian School District, the state's largest public school district, as a target of the complaint.

Greenwood ruled plaintiff Russell Joki has standing to sue only within the Meridian district, where he resides and pays fees on behalf of his grandson. In March, Greenwood dismissed the state from the lawsuit.

Joki, who is seeking to have Idaho reinstated as a defendant, said Wednesday he was disappointed with Greenwood's latest ruling but plans to pursue the remaining case against Meridian. He says parents are "sick and tired" of paying fees to public schools that should be free, according to the Idaho Constitution.