In a split decision that ran along partisan lines, the Michigan Supreme Court upheld a controversial spending bill that reimburses private schools for state mandates, a ruling that deals a blow to the public-school education establishment. The 3-3 decision Dec. 28 in Council of Organizations and Others for Education About Parochiaid v. State of Michigan has the effect of leaving in place the state law known as MCL 388.1752b, in which the state compensates nonpublic schools for costs incurred in complying with state health, safety, and welfare mandates. A tie vote means the lower court ruling under challenge is sustained. In this matter, the decision of the Michigan Court of Appeals was affirmed and the case was sent back to the Michigan Court of Claims to be reconsidered in light of the high court’s ruling. The Michigan Catholic Conference, which entered a friend-of-the-court brief in the case, hailed the decision. …