Taxpayers shouldn’t be asked to pick up the cost of private schooling for special education children who don’t first give public schools a chance, New York City’s top appeals lawyer told the Supreme Court Monday.

Arguing on the first day of the Court’s new term, Leonard Koerner urged the justices not to make it easier for parents to be reimbursed for private schooling in situations where school districts contend they can take care of children’s special needs.