CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (CBS4)- The Douglas County School District has filed a request for a stay on the permanent injunction of the school voucher program. The request for a stay is the first step in a planned appeal of the court’s ruling.

On Aug. 12, a judge ruled that the school voucher program in Douglas County be halted immediately because it is unconstitutional.

The school district believes the school voucher program will be vindicated because it was patterned after similar programs upheld by the Colorado Supreme Court, the U.S. Supreme Court and other state courts.

In March, the school board approved a pilot program that would provide a public stipend for up to 500 current Douglas County students to attend private school this fall.

Three civil liberties organizations filed the lawsuit challenging the voucher plan, claiming it violates the Colorado Constitution’s religious liberty provisions, which bar the use of public funds for religious schools.

In the program, students would have been qualified to receive $4,575 vouchers to attend one of 19 public or parochial schools next school year.