OKLAHOMA CITY – The state Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that an Oklahoma board’s approval of what would be the nation’s first publicly funded religious school is unconstitutional and should be overturned.
The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the World Virtual Charter School Board 3-2 vote last year The Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma’s approval of the application for St. Isidore of Seville Virtual Charter School violates both the Oklahoma and United States constitutions, as well as state law.
“Under Oklahoma law, a charter school is a public school,” the court said. “Thus, a charter school should be non-sectarian.
“But St. Isidore will promote a Catholic school curriculum if it is funded by the state.”
The online public charter school would be open to in-state students in kindergarten through 12th grade, and part of its mission would be to promote its students in the Catholic faith.
As supporters of the school believe, the case is being watched closely Recent decisions of the US Supreme Court they stated that the court is more open to state funds going to religious institutions.
A group of parents, faith leaders and a non-profit organization for public education appealed to the court to stop the organization of the school.
Oklahoma Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt and state Superintendent Ryan Walters supported the board’s approval of the school.