The termination of the contract linking the Averroès Muslim high school in Lille to the State, marks the end of its public funding. William Bourdon, one of the lawyers representing the high school called this "toxic" and "a political operation". The establishment of 400 students became the first Muslim high school in 2008 to sign a contract to be funded by the State. Since then, it has regularly ranked among the best in the region. SOUNDBITE