Oklahoma Parents End Lawsuit After Supreme Court Upholds Ban on Taxpayer-Funded Religious Charter School

The Oklahoma Parent Legislative Advocacy Coalition (OKPLAC), along with other local parents, faith leaders, and public education advocates, voluntarily dropped their lawsuit opposing the taxpayer-funded St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School following a 4-4 deadlock in the U.S. Supreme Court. This tie upheld the Oklahoma Supreme Court's June 2024 ruling that operating St. Isidore as a religious public charter school violated the state's constitutional separation of church and state. The lawsuit was similar to one filed by Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, whose efforts were praised by OKPLAC chair Misty Bradley. Legal groups including the American Civil Liberties Union and Americans United for Separation of Church and State supported the plaintiffs, emphasizing the importance of keeping public schools secular and inclusive. Despite the legal victory for opponents, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt indicated that efforts to create publicly funded religious schools would continue. The dismissal of the case marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over public funding for religious education in Oklahoma.