What Oklahoma’s halted religious charter school means for the future of public education in the US
An Oklahoma lawsuit challenging the country’s first taxpayer-funded religious charter school has ended following a series of court decisions, including a 4-4 deadlock at the US Supreme Court. The case revolved around St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Charter School, which sought to operate with public funds while teaching Catholic doctrine. The resolution of the lawsuit has significant implications for the future of religious charter schools and the relationship between public education and church-state separation in the US.The Oklahoma Parent Legislative Advocacy Coalition (OKPLAC), a group made up of faith leaders, public school parents, and education advocates, initially filed the lawsuit in 2023 to stop taxpayer funding of the religious school. After the US Supreme Court’s tie upheld a lower court’s decision and the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled the school unconstitutional under the state constitution, OKPLAC voluntarily dismissed its case. The Supreme Court deadlock effectively allowed the state ruling to stand, maintaining Oklahoma’s ban on publicly funded religious charter schools.Legal battle over taxpayer-funded religious schoolsThe Oklahoma County lawsuit was the first filed against St. Isidore, which was approved by the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board to operate as an online Catholic school funded by taxpayers. Although students of all faiths or no faith could attend, the school planned to teach Catholic doctrine and operate according to church principles. The coalition, alongside legal support from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom from Religion Foundation, challenged the funding, citing constitutional concerns over separation of church and state.The Oklahoma Supreme Court’s June ruling found that the operation of a religious charter school with public funding violated the state constitution. Following that, St. Isidore and the charter school board appealed to the US Supreme Court. However, with the court split 4-4, the Oklahoma Supreme Court decision remained in effect.Response from advocacy groups and officialsMisty Bradley, chair of OKPLAC, expressed gratitude for those who supported the lawsuit and for Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s efforts, as reported by the Oklahoma Voice. “We are grateful for the organisations and individuals who stood with us and for Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s successful efforts to uphold Oklahoma’s constitution and protect its taxpayers and public schools,” she said.The ACLU’s Daniel Mach welcomed the outcome, stating, “We’re pleased that the courts stopped this direct assault on public education and religious freedom,” as quoted by the Oklahoma Voice. “Public schools must remain secular and welcome all students, regardless of faith.”Meanwhile, Governor Kevin Stitt, a supporter of St. Isidore, indicated that the matter was not settled. According to the Oklahoma Voice, he said, “This 4-4 tie is a non-decision. Now we’re in overtime. There will be another case just like this one and Justice Barrett will break the tie. This is far from a settled issue.”Implications for the future of US public educationThe case highlights ongoing tensions between religious freedom and public school funding, raising questions about how states will navigate the constitutional boundaries of taxpayer funding for religious education. Oklahoma’s legal decisions underscore a cautious approach to preserving church-state separation in public schooling, at least under current interpretations.As efforts to establish publicly funded religious charter schools continue, the US Supreme Court may revisit this issue with a full bench. The outcome could influence not only Oklahoma but also other states considering similar religious charter school models, shaping the future landscape of public education across the country.The dismissal of the lawsuit and court rulings mark a significant precedent in the US, emphasising the complex balance between parental rights, religious education, and constitutional principles in publicly funded schooling.TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here.
