Supreme Court To Hear Case On Oklahoma Catholic Charter School

[Lauren Keenan]

THE U-S SUPREME COURT WILL HEAR ORAL ARGUMENTS IN THE CASE OF A RELIGIOUS CHARTER SCHOOL IN OKLAHOMA SEEKING PUBLIC FUNDS.

THE OKLAHOMA STATEWIDE CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD APPROVED FUNDING FOR THE NATION’S FIRST CATHOLIC CHARTER SCHOOL ST. ISIDORE OF SEVILLE VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL INC. – WHICH WAS SET TO OPEN IN THE FALL OF 2024.

HOWEVER, OKLAHOMA ATTORNEY GENERAL GENTNER DRUMMOND SUED IN 2023, CLAIMING THE RELIGIOUS CHARTER SCHOOL BROKE STATE AND FEDERAL LAW. THE STATE’S SUPREME COURT THEN RULED THE SCHOOL UNCONSTITUTIONAL BECAUSE OF IT’S RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION.

SUPPORTERS SAY THE CATHOLIC CHARTER SCHOOL WOULD BOOST SCHOOL CHOICE AND UPHOLD RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN OKLAHOMA.

CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE PUBLICLY FUNDED BY AND SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE STANDARDS, HOWEVER, THEY OPERATE INDEPENDENTLY FROM PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND SET THEIR OWN CURRICULUM.

THE CHARTER SCHOOL AND THE SCHOOL BOARD PETITIONED SCOTUS TO REVIEW THE CASE.

THEY ARGUE THAT THE STATE DOES NOT COMPEL OR ENCOURAGE THE ST. ISIDORE’S RELIGIOUS STATUS OR CONDUCT.

OKLAHOMA’S ATTORNEY GENERAL ARGUES THE CATHOLIC CHARTER SCHOOL WOULD VIOLATE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS BECAUSE THE SCHOOL’S CONTRACT REQUIRES “STATE APPROVAL BEFORE IT CAN TEACH ANY MATERIAL REVISIONS TO CATHOLIC DOCTRINE MANDATED BY THE POPE.”

“THIS UNCONSTITUTIONAL SCHEME TO CREATE THE NATION’S FIRST STATE-SPONSORED RELIGIOUS CHARTER SCHOOL WILL OPEN THE FLOODGATES AND FORCE TAXPAYERS TO FUND ALL MANNER OF RELIGIOUS INDOCTRINATION, INCLUDING RADICAL ISLAM OR EVEN THE CHURCH OF SATA. MY FELLOW OKLAHOMANS CAN REST ASSURED THAT I WILL ALWAYS FIGHT TO PROTECT THEIR GOD-GIVEN RIGHTS AND UPHOLD THE LAW,” DRUMMOND SAID IN AN OCTOBER 2024 STATEMENT REGARDING THE LEGAL CHALLENGE. 

ORAL ARGUMENTS ARE SCHEDULE FOR APRIL 30TH WILL A DECISION EXPECTED IN JUNE OR JULY.

FOR SAN, I’M LK