The Schools v. Risley was a case heard by the United States Supreme Court in 1869. The case involved a dispute between the school district of the town of Risley, Ohio, and the town's residents over the use of public funds for the construction of a schoolhouse. The school district had passed a resolution authorizing the construction of the schoolhouse, and the town's residents had objected to the use of public funds for the project. The Supreme Court ultimately ruled in favor of the school district, holding that the school district had the authority to use public funds for the construction of the schoolhouse. The Court reasoned that the school district had the power to use public funds for the purpose of providing education to the town's children, and that the construction of the schoolhouse was necessary for that purpose. The Court also held that the town's residents had no right to interfere with the school district's decision to use public funds for the construction of the schoolhouse. The ruling established the principle that school districts have the authority to use public funds for the purpose of providing education to the public.

In The Schools v. Risley, the Supreme Court was tasked with deciding whether a school district had the authority to tax its citizens in order to fund public schools. The majority opinion held that such taxation was constitutional and within the scope of state power. However, Justice Field dissented from this ruling on two grounds: firstly, he argued that it violated Article I Section 10 of the Constitution which prohibits states from passing any law impairing contracts; secondly, he argued that it violated due process as guaranteed by Amendment XIV because it allowed for taxation without representation or consent of those being taxed. He concluded his dissent by noting that while education is an important goal for society, “it can be attained only through means consistent with our fundamental laws” and thus should not be pursued at all costs regardless of how beneficial it may seem at face value.