Oklahoma Court Denies Stay for Catholic Charter School

The Oklahoma Supreme Court has denied a request from St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School to stay a ruling that requires the Statewide Charter School Board to rescind its contract, which would have established the first Catholic charter school in the U.S. This decision follows the court's previous ruling that deemed the school's contract unconstitutional, arguing that public funding for a religious school could undermine religious freedoms. Attorney General Gentner Drummond criticized the charter school board for not complying with the court's order and expects a vote to rescind the contract at the board's upcoming meeting. Supporters of the school argue that denying the charter constitutes religious discrimination, while critics claim it forces taxpayers to support a religion. The case is expected to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court by the legal group representing the board, which contends that protecting the school is essential for religious freedom in Oklahoma.