Oklahoma Supreme Court Blocks Taxpayer-Funded Religious School

The Oklahoma Supreme Court has ruled that a faith-based charter school approved by the state's education board violates the Oklahoma Constitution and the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court has blocked plans to open the first faith-based publicly funded charter school in the country, ruling that the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Charter School violates the state constitution and the Establishment Clause.

In a 6-2 decision, the court found that the school's curriculum, which evangelizes the Catholic faith, is not permissible under the law since charter schools in Oklahoma must be nonsectarian.

Oklahoma Supreme Court Blocks Taxpayer-Funded Religious School

Justice James R. Winchester wrote in the decision that enforcing the school's contract would create a slippery slope and undermine Oklahomans' freedom to practice religion without fear of governmental intervention.

Local religious leaders plan to have the case reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court. Justice Dana Kuehn dissented from the decision, expressing belief that it will eventually be overturned by the higher court.

Oklahoma Supreme Court Blocks Taxpayer-Funded Religious School

The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and Bishop David Konderla expressed their disappointment in a joint statement, saying the ruling is a setback for the hundreds of prospective students and families who desired a Catholic educational experience.

The Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who filed the lawsuit in the decision, celebrated the outcome as a victory for religious liberty. Drummond argued that state funding of the school would violate the constitutional requirement for separation of church and state.

Oklahoma Supreme Court Blocks Taxpayer-Funded Religious School

The Oklahoma Supreme Court also agreed that funding the charter school would violate the state's Blaine Amendment, which prohibits state funding of religious institutions.

The Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board had approved the school in a 3-2 decision in June 2023. The first lawsuit against the decision came a few months later, in August.

Oklahoma Supreme Court Blocks Taxpayer-Funded Religious School

The case has drawn national attention, with supporters arguing that the school would provide a valuable educational option for students and families. Opponents, however, contend that taxpayer funding of a religious school could lead to the erosion of constitutional protections for religious freedom.

The U.S. Supreme Court has not yet decided whether it will review the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling. If it does, the case could have significant implications for the funding of religious schools and the limits of government entanglement with religion.