Oklahoma City, Oklahoma — The Oklahoma Supreme Court recently ruled against the establishment of a taxpayer-funded religious school, marking a significant moment in the ongoing legal battles over publicly funded religious education in the state. The court found that the creation of St. Isidore of Seville, a virtual Catholic public charter school, violated the state constitution, putting a pause on its planned opening this year.
This decision is not the end of the legal challenges facing St. Isidore. In Oklahoma County District Court, a class action lawsuit spearheaded by the Oklahoma Parent Legislative Action Committee (PLAC) is still underway. This case accuses the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board of improperly approving the school’s charter, setting the stage for a complex legal battle that continues to unfold.
Erin Brewer, one of the plaintiffs in the PLAC lawsuit, indicated that the recent Supreme Court’s decision didn’t come as a surprise. Brewer suggested that Catholic authorities might be intending to escalate this issue to the U.S. Supreme Court. “It appears their goal might be to use this case as a test to potentially reshape national policies around the separation of church and state,” Brewer commented.
The nonprofit organization Americans United for Separation of Church and State is also actively involved in this lawsuit. Rachel Laser, CEO of the nonprofit, expressed skepticism about the U.S. Supreme Forut overturning the Oklahoma ruling. However, she noted that even if that were to happen, the ongoing district court case could still block the school’s operations. “Our lawsuit isn’t just challenging the constitutionality of the funding—it’s also pointing out potential discriminatory practices in admissions, discipline, and hiring based on religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability,” Laser explained.
While the legal drama continues, St. Isidore’s representatives and the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City have maintained a relatively low profile. They have not responded to requests for interviews but have announced a forthcoming public meeting set to be held at the Chancery in Broken Arrow. The meeting, scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday, is expected to address the school’s future and response to the Supreme Court’s decision.
The controversy touches on broader national debates about the relationship between religion and public funding for education. With both religious freedom and anti-discrimination laws at stake, the outcomes of these legal challenges could have wide-reaching implications. As the case proceeds, the eyes of both supporters and critics of publicly funded religious education will undoubtedly be watching closely, awaiting a decision that could redefine the boundaries of church and state in America.