U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Case on Religious Charter School in Oklahoma
U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Case on Religious Charter School in Oklahoma
By Miami News-Digest
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond, a case that could reshape the boundaries between religion and public education. At issue is whether the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board was justified in approving St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, a religious charter school, despite concerns over the constitutional prohibition of public funding for religious institutions.
Background
In 2023, St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School sought approval as a publicly funded online charter school that would incorporate Catholic teachings into its curriculum. The proposal was backed by Governor Kevin Stitt, who has championed school choice and religious liberty.
“I’m glad the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing the St. Isidore case,” Stitt said Friday after the court’s decision to take up the matter. “This stands to be one of the most significant religious and education freedom decisions in our lifetime. I believe our nation’s highest court will agree that denying St. Isidore’s charter based solely on its religious affiliation is flat-out unconstitutional.”
Attorney General Gentner Drummond, however, has consistently opposed the initiative, arguing that the approval of St. Isidore’s charter violates both state and federal constitutions. Drummond sued the charter school board in October 2023, claiming that the decision to fund a religious institution with public dollars breached the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
In June 2024, the Oklahoma Supreme Court sided with Drummond, ruling that public funds cannot be used to support religious schools. Opponents of the school’s charter argue that its approval threatens the longstanding principle of separation between church and state.
National Implications
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to review the case reflects its potential to set a national precedent. Supporters of St. Isidore’s charter argue that religious institutions should not be excluded from public funding solely because of their faith-based missions. Governor Stitt echoed this sentiment in his statement Friday, describing resistance to the school as “ugly religious intolerance.”
On the other side, organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Americans United for Separation of Church and State argue that public funds for religious schools undermine constitutional protections.
“This case is about ensuring that taxpayer dollars aren’t used to fund religious education,” said Daniel Mach, director of the ACLU’s Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief. “The government should not be in the business of supporting or endorsing religion.”
What’s Next
The Supreme Court is expected to hear oral arguments in the spring, with a decision likely by summer 2025. If the court rules in favor of St. Isidore, it could pave the way for religious organizations nationwide to access public funding for education. A ruling against the school would reinforce existing barriers to public support for religious institutions.
This case marks the latest chapter in the ongoing debate over the role of religion in public life, with far-reaching implications for educational and religious freedom across the United States.
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