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 schools
The 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.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Sunteck Launches Windcrest Collection 2 & 3 BHKs from ₹1.27 Cr*
Sunteck Sky Park
Learn More
Undo
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 officials
Misty 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 education
The 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
.
Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Time of India
Irresponsible & misleading, Church slams CPM secy's remarks against Pamplany
Kochi: The Syro-Malabar Church has expressed its disapproval of comments made by CPM state secretary M V Govindan and others against archbishop Joseph Pamplany. In a statement, the Church said that the irresponsible and misleading remarks made by the CPM state secretary and others against archbishop Pamplany, the metropolitan of Thalassery and vicar of the major archbishop for the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese, were upsetting. "The attempt by the CPM leaders to insult the bishop by raising out of context the issue regarding him thanking the Union home minister and the Prime Minister for the release of Catholic nuns imprisoned in Chhattisgarh is highly condemnable. Archbishop Pamplany merely reiterated the official stance of the Syro-Malabar Church, which expressed gratitude to the central and state govts, leaders of both the ruling and opposition parties, media and the public for their assistance in securing the nuns' release," the statement said. However, a political party, for its own interests, unjustly attacked Pamplany with untimely statements through its various mechanisms. Subsequent reactions have shown that this was not just spontaneous statements. "The Syro-Malabar Church does not have any special allegiance to any political party; its politics are based on its stance on issues. The Church is not hesitant to point out mistakes or acknowledge what is right. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The statement added that no political outfits have space in the process of deciding whom or when to thank or criticise. However, the Church has always respected political movements and their eminent leaders as part of the democratic system. The Church wishes that political leaders demonstrate the same democratic decorum in their statements and actions," it added. Therefore, those involved should refrain from unjustly singling out and criticising archbishop Pamplany, and since enough has been said, this matter should be concluded promptly, the statement said. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
Suspected Islamist rebels kill 30 in Congo's North Kivu province
Suspected Islamist rebels have killed at least 30 people in a series of attacks in Congo's North Kivu province in recent days, a Congolese military official said Saturday. The killings took place in Bapere village between Wednesday and Friday, according to Col. Alain Kiwawa, the military administrator of Lubero territory where the village is located. 'We have more than 30 people dead, and at least a hundred who are being held hostage,' Kiwawa told The Associated Press. A civil society leader, Samuel Kaheni, the president of the Bapere civil society organisation, added that several houses were burned and victims were mostly killed with knives. The attacks are the latest in a string of recent attacks by Islamic State-aligned Allied Democratic Force (ADF) after its members killed nearly 40 people last month in an attack on a Catholic church in Ituri. Most of the victims were killed with machetes. The ADF, with roots in neighboring Uganda, operates in the border villages between Uganda and Congo. Both countries have launched a joint armed operation against the group, but the group has only increased its attacks in recent months. The incidence of ADF attacks adds to the complicated security challenges in the eastern region of Congo, where dozens of other armed groups are fighting, and the central government is battling the M23 rebels, which have taken control of Goma and other key cities. Lubero's military administrator called on the residents to be on guard against further violence.'I ask the population to speak out and remain vigilant,' he said.
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
Catholic priest's presence at RSS event in Pala raises eyebrows
At a time when the Catholic Church in Kerala has been voicing concern over attacks on Christians in central and northern States of India, the participation of a priest from the Pala diocese of the Syro-Malabar Church at an event of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has raised a few eyebrows. Father George Nellikunnu Cherivu Purayidom, director of Care Homes project under the Pala diocese and Deepika Friends Club, presided over Shankholi 2025, a student summit jointly organised by the Poonjar, Meenachil and Ramapuram units of the RSS on August 15. Addressing the gathering, Father Purayidom said that it was the generation inspired by India's spiritual heritage and the freedom struggle that went on to shape modern India. Today's younger generation must strive to project the nation's glory on the world stage, making effective use of organisation and technology. The keynote address at the summit was delivered by Desheeya Adhyapaka Parishat State vice-president Jigi Mash. However, the event has already raised a few eyebrows within the Catholic Church, especially in the wake of recent attacks on nuns and priests from Kerala in Chhattisgarh and Odisha, allegedly by Sangh Parivar activists. 'This only reflects how sections of the Catholic clergy remain insensitive to the sufferings of their fellow believers in BJP-ruled states,' observed another priest, reacting to the priest's presence. The instance has also triggered debates on social media and within the Catholic community. When contacted, Fr. Purayidom clarified that he had attended the event with the knowledge of Pala Bishop Joseph Kallarangatt. 'I decided to attend since the programme was related to Independence Day. I went there on the organisers' invitation and delivered a speech on the theme of the event. There is no need to misconstrue this in any other way,' he explained. Commenting on the issue, Fr. Jhoseph Thadathil, Vicar General of the diocese, maintained that the priest must have attended the event in his personal capacity. 'The diocese, as a matter of principle, does not interfere in the affairs of any political organisation, nor does it extend support to any. The diocese has nothing to do with the event, even if the said priest attended it,' he clarified.
