{"id":2394946,"date":"2025-01-24T17:30:01","date_gmt":"2025-01-24T22:30:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/supreme-court-to-decide-fate-of-first-publicly-funded-catholic-charter-school-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-01-24T17:31:12","modified_gmt":"2025-01-24T22:31:12","slug":"supreme-court-to-decide-fate-of-first-publicly-funded-catholic-charter-school-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/supreme-court-to-decide-fate-of-first-publicly-funded-catholic-charter-school-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Supreme Court to decide fate of first publicly funded Catholic charter school &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">30<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fsupreme-court-to-decide-fate-of-first-publicly-funded-catholic-charter-school-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2394946&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The\u200b Supreme Court has\u200c agreed to \u2063hear\u2064 a case regarding the establishment of\u2062 the first <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/oklahoma-high-court-weighs-first-publicly-funded-religious-charter-school\/\" title=\"Oklahoma Supreme Court considers the legality of the state&#039;s first publicly funded <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/devil-in-the-detail-oklahoma-parks-catholic-charter-school-after-satanic-temple-warning\/\" title=\"Devil in the detail: Oklahoma parks Catholic charter school after Satanic Temple warning\">religious charter school<\/a>&#8220;>publicly funded religious charter school<\/a> in Oklahoma, specifically the St.\u2062 Isidore of\u2062 Seville Catholic Virtual School. This case, officially \u200ctitled *OK Charter School Board, et al. v. Drummond* and *St. Isidore of Seville\u2064 Sch. v. Drummond*, combines two \u200cappeals challenging a \u200cprior decision by \u200bthe Oklahoma Supreme\u200b Court that\u200d blocked the school\u2019s charter\u2062 due to concerns that it <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-york-top-court-rejects-gop-lawsuit-and-affirms-early-mail-in-voting-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"New York top court rejects GOP lawsuit and affirms early mail-in voting - Washington Examiner\">violated state constitutional provisions<\/a> against religious affiliations in educational\u2063 institutions. Proponents of the school, represented by the Alliance \u2062Defending Freedom organization, argue that the state&#8217;s ruling discriminates against\u200b religious institutions and violates constitutional protections for religious freedom, referencing recent\u200b Supreme Court precedents that favored religious schools in funding scenarios. The outcome of this case\u200d could considerably \u2064impact the future \u2064of \u200dpublic funding for religious education and set a precedent for similar cases nationwide. The\u200c supreme Court&#8217;s\u200d willingness to take on this case highlights its growing focus \u200bon issues of religious liberty and education in recent\u200b rulings.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Supreme Court to decide fate of first publicly funded Catholic charter school<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1949454\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/supreme-court\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Supreme Court<\/a> announced Friday that it will hear a case to determine whether the nation&rsquo;s first publicly funded religious charter school can open in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/oklahoma\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Oklahoma<\/a>, setting the stage for a major religious liberty ruling later this term.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The justices granted review in&nbsp;<em>OK Charter School Board, et al. v. Drummond, Att&rsquo;y Gen. of OK<\/em>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<em>St. Isidore of Seville Sch. v. Drummond, Att&rsquo;y Gen. of OK<\/em>, consolidating the two cases into one and allotting one hour for oral arguments. Petitioners must file briefs by March 5, with responses due by March 31 and replies by April 21. Justice Amy Coney Barrett did not participate in the decision to grant review.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Supreme Court in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018. (AP Photo\/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>The appeal challenges a July ruling by the Oklahoma Supreme Court that blocked the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board from approving a charter for St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School due to its religious affiliation. The state&rsquo;s high court determined that a religious charter school would violate state constitutional provisions.<\/p>\n<p>The petitioners, represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, argue that the ruling discriminates against St. Isidore and violates constitutional protections for religious freedom, citing recent Supreme Court precedents like&nbsp;<em>Carson v. Makin<\/em>. In that 2022 decision, the court struck down a Maine law that excluded religious schools from a public tuition program, holding that the free exercise clause prohibits such discrimination.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Oklahoma parents and children are better off with more choices, not fewer,&rdquo; ADF senior counsel Phil Sechler <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/supreme-court\/3179941\/supreme-court-asked-green-light-nation-first-catholic-charter-school\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">said<\/a> in October, adding that the state&rsquo;s decision to exclude St. Isidore based solely on its religious foundation is unconstitutional.<\/p>\n<p>Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, a Republican who has announced a bid for governor in 2026, initiated the lawsuit against the Catholic charter school, warning that taxpayer-funded religious charter schools could lead to funding for other religious indoctrination, including &ldquo;radical Islam or even the Church of Satan.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">case underscores growing national debates<\/a> about religious liberty, public funding for education, and the intersection of state action with constitutional protections. ADF&rsquo;s petition also raised broader questions about state action, arguing for immediate intervention to resolve circuit splits over the issue.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The justices&rsquo; decision to take up this case reflects the Supreme Court&rsquo;s increasing interest in religious liberty disputes, an area where it has recently expanded protections. A ruling in favor of St. Isidore could set a significant precedent for religious schools nationwide, reshaping the landscape of public education funding.<\/p>\n<p>Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters, a more Trump-aligned Republican who has been rumored to consider a bid for governor, has championed efforts to bring Christian values into the state&rsquo;s public education system, called the Oklahoma Supreme Court&rsquo;s decision &ldquo;shameful&rdquo; and expressed support for St. Isidore&rsquo;s appeal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1949454\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1949454\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Supreme Court to rule on first publicly funded Catholic charter school<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2633,"featured_media":2394947,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/AP18282494737055-1024x683.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[42529,35136,32546,49184,32275],"class_list":["post-2394946","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-catholic-charter-school","tag-education-policy","tag-legal-decision","tag-public-funding","tag-supreme-court"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/AP18282494737055-1024x683.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2394946","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2633"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2394946"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2394946\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2394950,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2394946\/revisions\/2394950"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2394947"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2394946"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2394946"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2394946"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}