
CV NEWS FEED // After the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that a Catholic charter school cannot receive state funding, the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board decided to vote against nullifying the school’s founding contract.
Oklahoma Voice reported that St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School attempted to receive federal funding, arguing that since charter schools are publicly funded but privately run, its decision to operate as a Catholic school is not equal to enforcing religion in a public school.
After a lawsuit over the funding ensued, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that charter schools meet the same legal definitions as public schools, and as a Catholic institution, cannot receive government funds.
According to Oklahoma Voice, the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board had previously approved St. Isidore’s application to receive public funds, and additionally entered into a charter contract with the school. When the state Supreme Court ruled against St. Isidore, the Board was ordered to rescind the contract.
However, in an unprecedented move, only two members of the five-seat board voted to nullify it, leaving the contract still standing.
The Board will soon convert into the Statewide Charter School Board with many new members who will oversee more types of charter schools, not just the virtual ones. According to Board Chairperson Robert Franklin, the St. Isidore issue will pass on to the new board.
St. Isidore’s, which would be free and open to all students in the state via online classes, called the ruling an “injustice” that constitutes religious discrimination.
“We will continue to fight this decision and the unconstitutional discrimination against educators and families of faith, and we are currently in discussions with the legal team as to our next steps for appealing the decision,” St. Isidore said in a statement, later adding:
We believe this decision stands as an injustice against the many families who only desire a choice to pursue the education that is best for their own children. And we will continue to work as faithful Catholic educators to help expand those choices for all Oklahoma families.
Oklahoma City Archbishop Paul S. Coakley stated that the ruling was “disappointing” for the hundreds of students and their families who have already applied to the school.
“We will consider all legal options and remain steadfast in our belief that St. Isidore would have and could still be a valuable asset to students, regardless of socioeconomic, race or faith backgrounds,” he added.
Despite the Board’s failure to nullify the contract, St. Isidore has agreed to delay opening the school at least until the 2025-2026 school year while it appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court.
