Oklahoma Board Revokes Founding Contract for Catholic Charter School

The nation’s first religious charter school contract has been declared void, pending a potential U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of the school. After four considerations, the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board decided on Monday to revoke its agreement with St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, preventing it from opening as a state-funded institution. St. Isidore had already committed to not seeking to open or receive public funding in the upcoming 2024-25 school year.

The recent ruling by the Oklahoma Supreme Court on June 25 deemed the concept of a state-approved school endorsing a religion as illegal and unconstitutional. Consequently, the Court instructed the state board to cancel St. Isidore’s charter contract. The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa, the school’s creators, have pledged to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court, citing concerns that denying public funds to a Catholic school infringes on religious freedom.

Despite its prior refusal, the Statewide Charter School Board unanimously voted to reinstate the contract if the U.S. Supreme Court were to overturn the state Supreme Court’s ruling. The board’s decision to cooperate in the appeal process with Catholic officials was evident during the meeting on Monday, where Father Stephen Hamilton conducted a prayer before the session commenced.

Chairperson Brian Shellem expressed the board’s adherence to a court order and emphasized their respect for the legal process, reaffirming that they will comply accordingly. While an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court has not been officially submitted, the likelihood of the case being accepted is slim, given the court’s selective approach in accepting cases for review.

Attorney General Gentner Drummond intensified pressure on the board to revoke the contract, threatening potential consequences if the order was not followed. Drummond highlighted potential fines or imprisonment for failing to comply with a court order, stressing the importance of upholding the rule of law in Oklahoma.

In response to the board’s delayed compliance, Drummond expressed satisfaction that they eventually acknowledged the authority of the Oklahoma Supreme Court. He reiterated concerns about the implications of a state-sponsored religious charter school funded by taxpayers, casting it as a significant threat to the religious liberties of Oklahomans.