An Oklahoma school board has voted to approve an application for a Catholic virtual charter school, clearing the way for what could be the nation’s first publicly funded religious school, despite concerns over its constitutionality.
The Statewide Virtual Charter School Board voted 3-2 in favor of the Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma and its efforts to establish the St. Isidore of Seville Virtual Charter School. The online public charter school would be open to students across the state in kindergarten through 12th grade.
Prior to the vote, the state attorney general, Gentner Drummond, warned board members that such a decision was a clear violation of Oklahoma’s Constitution.
“The approval of any publicly funded religious school is contrary to Oklahoma law and not in the best interest of taxpayers,” Drummond said in a statement Tuesday.
“It’s extremely disappointing that board members violated their oath in order to fund religious schools with our tax dollars. In doing so, these members have exposed themselves and the state to potential legal action that could be costly.”
During a meeting before the vote, the board for hours discussed the constitutionality of the decision, but opted to go forward anyway.
Gov. Kevin Stitt meanwhile applauded the move, declaring it “a win for religious liberty and education freedom in our great state.”
“Oklahomans support religious liberty for all and support an increasingly innovative educational system that expands choice,” Stitt said in a statement. “Today, with the nation watching, our state showed that we will not stand for religious discrimination.”
Earlier this year, Stitt signed a bill that would give parents across Oklahoma a tax incentive to send their children to private schools, including religious schools.