COLUMBUS–The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) and the Ohio Christian Education Network (OCEN) filed a lawsuit Tuesday evening with the Ohio Supreme Court against Columbus City Schools for the district’s refusal to transport children to school as state law requires. ACLJ & OCEN are representing a Columbus mother who is losing hourly wages at work because of the district’s lawless actions.

The lawsuit details how Columbus City Schools broke Ohio law by informing Marrisa Siebold, the Columbus mother, after school began that she would no longer receive transportation. The lawsuit, filed as a mandamus action with the state’s highest court, also details how the district completely disregarded state law in determining and informing Ms. Siebold that transporting her child would be impractical.

“Columbus City Schools is not allowed to treat some students as second-class citizens when it comes to transportation,” said Troy McIntosh, Executive Director of the Ohio Christian Education Network. “The school district’s actions have left hundreds of families scrambling to find a way to get their kids to school. The state Supreme Court must act quickly to enforce the law.”

The American Center for Law and Justice engages legal, legislative, and cultural issues by implementing an effective strategy of advocacy, education, and litigation that includes representing clients before the Supreme Court of the United States and international tribunals around the globe.

The Ohio Christian Education Network is a network of more than 180 Catholic and Evangelical schools from across Ohio that strives to protect the religious liberty of Christian schools and ensure every Ohio family has access to a Gospel-centered education. It is a network of Center for Christian Virtue. OCEN is serving as local counsel on the suit.

 Ms. Seibold’s child is a student at Tree of Life Christian School, a member of the Ohio Christian Education Network. The lawsuit details how she typically works 55 hours per week, but due to Columbus City Schools’ actions, she’s been forced to scale back her hours to 45 hours per week.

The lawsuit comes days after Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost also filed a mandamus action with the state Supreme Court on the issue.

“Attorney General Yost is standing for Ohio’s children by calling on the State Supreme Court to order CCS to transport kids. Ohio needs leaders who are willing to fight for our kids at this time,” said McIntosh.

You can read the filing here.

For more information, contact CCV at 513-733-5775 or contact@ccv.org. For media inquiries, email media@ccv.org.

The Ohio Christian Education Network (OCEN) protects the religious liberty of Christian schools and ensures every Ohio family has access to a Gospel-centered education.

For more information, visit OCEN.org.