WBRZ - Baton Rouge

NEW ORLEANS - Arguments lasted for about an hour today at the Louisiana Supreme Court in the state's appeal of the school voucher funding formula.

At stake is the ability to pay for Governor Bobby Jindal's centerpiece school reform, which a lower court ruled violated the state's constitution. The voucher program uses taxpayer dollars to send students at failing public schools to private schools instead.

The justices had tough questions for attorneys representing the state, who said they believe Judge Tim Kelly misinterpreted the constitution in his ruling. Justices said they laws were quite clear about money staying in the parish and city school systems, and not going to private schools.

Around 5,000 students are part of the voucher program, and voucher supporters rallied outside the Supreme Court with signs and chants during the arguments.