Oklahoma religious charter school receives support from Gov. Stitt, dozens more

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and more than 50 others filed briefs supporting what could be the nation's first publicly-funded religious charter school, ahead of the case going before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Tuesday, March 18th 2025, 1:06 pm

By: Carrie Winchel

Tuesday, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and more than 50 others filed briefs in support of the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board and St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Charter School.

Gov. Stitt announced the filings in a news release Tuesday.

The United States Supreme Court is set to hear the case on April 30, 2025.

St. Isidore would be the first publicly-funded religious charter school in the nation if the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in its favor.

Last June, Oklahoma’s top court held by a 7-1 vote that a taxpayer-funded religious charter school would violate the part of the First Amendment that prohibits the government from making any law “respecting an establishment of religion.”

The decision followed a 3-2 vote in 2023 by the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board to approve an application by the archdiocese for the St. Isidore of Seville Virtual Charter School. The K-12 online school had planned to start classes for its first 200 enrollees last fall, with part of its mission to evangelize its students in the Catholic faith.

A group of Oklahoma parents, faith leaders, and a public education nonprofit sued to block the school.

Tuesday’s filing of amicus briefs included support from more than 50 elected officials, scholars, and think tanks. An amicus brief is a brief filed by someone who is not a party name in a case, but who intends to influence the court’s decision.

Stitt’s brief said, in part:

“The State of Oklahoma is steadfast in her support of religious liberty for all and an innovative educational system that expands choice for all. For over 30 years, Oklahoma Governors have supported parental school choice. The reason is simple: Oklahoma’s greatest asset isn’t our oil and gas – it’s not our football teams – it’s not the aerospace and defense industry. It’s our kids.”

The Associated Press contributed to this article.