Oklahoma’s Republican Attorney General, Gentner Drummond, argued before the state’s highest court to stop the creation of the nation’s first publicly funded Catholic charter school. He claimed that the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board violated the law and state and federal constitutions when it approved the Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City’s application for the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual Charter School. Drummond accused the board of betraying their oath of office and warned them of the consequences if they proceeded with the approval. The case is significant as it could set a precedent regarding public funds going to religious entities, with recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions seemingly more open to such allocations.
The attorney general argued that there is a distinction between religious entities receiving state funding for services they provide, such as Catholic hospitals, and a Catholic charter school becoming a publicly funded institution. He warned that approving the school could lead to the intertwining of state and church in ways never seen before, potentially opening the door for public schools to teach Islamic doctrine or even Satanism. This distinction raised concerns about the separation of church and state and the implications of public funds supporting institutions with specific religious affiliations.
On the other side, Michael McGinley, representing St. Isidore, defended the approval of the Catholic charter school by pointing out that numerous private religious organizations already receive state funding for providing services to students. He argued that it would be unconstitutional to reject the archdiocese’s application solely based on its religious affiliation. McGinley emphasized that the school’s program was open to all students, regardless of religious background, and highlighted the hundreds of applications it had received already. The school aimed to receive state funding by July 1 and intended to start classes in the fall for students from kindergarten to grade 12 throughout Oklahoma.
The potential establishment of the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual Charter School has drawn attention and debate due to its implications for the separation of church and state. Supporters of the school view the situation as an opportunity to expand educational options and challenge restrictions on public funds going to religious organizations. However, critics, including Attorney General Drummond, raise concerns about the precedent it could set and the potential consequences of public funds supporting specific religious teachings. The decision of the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board and the subsequent legal battle could have far-reaching implications for similar cases across the country.
As the case unfolds in Oklahoma’s highest court, the arguments presented by both sides highlight the complex issues surrounding the intersection of public funding and religious institutions. The decision on whether to approve the Catholic charter school could have significant implications for the future of education and the separation of church and state in the state and beyond. The court’s ruling on this matter will be closely watched by supporters and opponents of the school, as well as by advocates for religious freedom and strict separation of church and state. Ultimately, the outcome of this case could have lasting effects on the relationship between government and religion in public education.
