Oklahoma's Religious Charter School Case Heads to U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday

A major case out of Oklahoma heads to the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday, and the decision could impact how religious schools are funded across the country.

First School of its Kind

Oklahoma's St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School hopes to be the nation's first religious charter school - publicly funded, but with a Catholic-based curriculum.

"I think it would be a tremendous victory for religious freedom but also for school choice," said Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters. 

Catholic Values, State Money

It would allow taxpayer money to be used to fund it something Walters supports.

"We want those taxpayers to direct their children's education and how their tax dollars are spent on their own children," he said. 

Drummond's Lawsuit

Oklahoma’s charter school board approved the proposal, but the state’s Attorney General Gentner Drummond filed a lawsuit against it, saying it violates the separation of church and state.

“This could not be clearer, our Constitution and our statutes say public schools shall be open and free to all and free from sectarian influence. That's what we have. That's what I'm defending,” he said. 

Supreme Court Hearing

The Oklahoma Supreme Court agreed with Drummond. Now, the nation’s highest court will have a say, and the decision could set a new standard for how public education and religion mix across the country.

"Oklahoma is leading in education reform, we are leading and turning our education system around, and this will continue to make us that leader, and you'll see other states follow suit - I think it's tremendous for the entire country," said Walters.

Oral arguments are scheduled for Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. CST. A decision likely won’t be made until sometime in the summer. To hear the arguments online, click here.