Oklahoma Religious Charter School: Gov. Stitt, State Supt. Ryan Walters release statements on St. Isidore case

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, AG Drummond and others are reacting after the United States Supreme Court voted 4-4 Thursday in a case regarding the nation's first publicly-funded religious charter school, St. Isidore in Oklahoma.

The deadlock vote means the court upholds the Oklahoma Supreme Court's decision to block St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School.

>>> U.S. Supreme Court deadlocks, rejecting state-funded schools

Scroll for statments:

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt's statement:

"This 4-4 tie is a non-decision. Now we’re in overtime. There will be another case just like this one and Justice Barrett will break the tie. This is far from a settled issue. We are going to keep fighting for parents’ rights to instill their values in their children and against religious discrimination."

Oklahoma State Supt. Ryan Walters statement:

“Allowing the exclusion of religious schools from our charter school program in the name of 19th century religious bigotry is wrong,” said Superintendent Walters. “As state superintendent, I will always stand with parents and families in opposition to religious discrimination and fight until all children in Oklahoma are free to choose the school that serves them best, religious or otherwise.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond:

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond today issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court's 4-4 decision in the St. Isidore case. The divided ruling upholds the Oklahoma Supreme Court's decision to prevent taxpayer-funded religious public charter schools.

“The Supreme Court's decision represents a resounding victory for religious liberty and for the foundational principles that have guided our nation since its founding. This ruling ensures that Oklahoma taxpayers will not be forced to fund radical Islamic schools, while protecting the religious rights of families to choose any school they wish for their children.

“I have always maintained that we must faithfully uphold the Constitution, even when it requires us to make difficult decisions. I will continue upholding the law, protecting our Christian values, and defending religious liberty—regardless of how difficult the battle may be.”

Sen. James Lankford (R-OK)

"Today's split 4-4 decision from the Supreme Court in the St. Isidore case is a disappointment, but it's not the final word. The Supreme Court has previously made clear that when states offer public programs, they can't discriminate against religious participants. Families in Oklahoma deserve educational options that reflect their values, and that includes faith-based schools. I'm proud to stand with the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board in continuing to defend equal treatment under the law."

Oklahoma Bishop's Statement - St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School

“Families across the state of Oklahoma deserve the educational opportunities presented by St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School. We are disappointed that the Oklahoma State Supreme Court’s decision was upheld in a 4-4 decision without explanation.

“We remain firm in our commitment to offering an outstanding education to families and students across the state of Oklahoma. And we stand committed to parental choice in education, providing equal opportunity to all who seek options when deciding what is best for their children.

“We are grateful to Governor Kevin Stitt and his courage in supporting school choice. And we are thankful for the generous representation provided by Notre Dame Law School's Religious Liberty Clinic and by Michael McGinley at Dechert LLP.

“In light of this ruling, we are exploring other options for offering a virtual Catholic education to all persons in the state.”

Oklahoma House Democrats:

House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, and House Assistant Democratic Leader Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa, released the following statements after a divided Supreme Court blocked the creation of the nation’s first religious charter school.

“The U.S. Constitution and Oklahoma Constitution were upheld today. As stated in both our state and U.S. Constitutions, Oklahomans across our state have demanded that public dollars stay in public schools, not religious or private schools. Oklahomans across our state have demanded that religious teaching stay in the home and responsibility of parents, not teachers. Today's decision is a win for taxpayers and religious freedom. Let’s get back to work on funding and protecting our public schools.”– House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City

“Today, our U.S. Constitution held strong. In Oklahoma, we have had a front row seat to the effort to embed religious instruction into our public schools. Today, we are reassured that religious teaching, no matter the denomination or belief, remains in the rightful hands of parents and guardians, and not on the shoulders of Oklahoma taxpayers.” – House Assistant Democratic Leader Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa

Tulsa County Democratic Party:

The Tulsa County Democratic Party issued a statement following the ruling as well:

The Tulsa County Democratic Party (TCDP) applauds the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to leave in place the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s ruling that prohibits the use of public tax dollars to fund the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual Charter School.

This decision marks a critical victory for the Constitution, public education, and the separation of church and state.

“Public funds should support public schools — period,” said TCDP Chairwoman Sarah Gray. “The Stitt Administration’s attempt to funnel taxpayer dollars into a religious institution was not only unconstitutional, it was fiscally irresponsible and morally dangerous. Oklahomans should not be forced to subsidize religious education through our public education system. This isn’t just a legal question, it’s a matter of public trust. Oklahoma has a long and painful history of state-supported religious institutions siphoning off tax dollars and being used to marginalize and harm vulnerable communities, particularly Native children. We cannot repeat that history under the guise of ‘school choice.’”

“With public schools under attack and resources stretched thin, this ruling is a clear message to Kevin Stitt, Ryan Walters and the Legislature: the Constitution matters, and Oklahomans are paying attention,” said TCDP Vice-Chair and high school educator Hudson Harder. “This is common sense. ‘School choice’ doesn’t mean taxpayers should fund a church’s admissions policy. That’s not a choice; that’s a state-sponsored tithe.” 

Americans United for Separation of Church and State

Americans United for Separation of Church and State President and CEO Rachel Laser issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 4-4 per curiam decision that upholds the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s decision to block the creation of the nation’s first religious public charter school, St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School

“The Supreme Court’s stalemate safeguards public education and upholds the separation of church and state. Charter schools are public schools that must be secular and serve all students. St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, which planned to discriminate against students, families, and staff and indoctrinate students into one religion, cannot operate as a public charter school. A religious public school would be an abject violation of religious freedom. We will continue our efforts to protect inclusive public education. We call on this nation to recommit to church-state separation before this safeguard of democracy and freedom is further attacked.”

The Freedom From Religion Foundation

“This is a crucial, if narrow, win for constitutional principles,” says FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. “A publicly funded religious charter school would have obliterated the wall of separation between state and church. We’re relieved that, at least for now, the First Amendment still means what it says.”

“This case was never about the free exercise of religion; it was about government-sponsored religion,” says FFRF Legal Director Patrick Elliott. “Taxpayers should never be forced to fund religious indoctrination, especially through schools that are supposed to be open to all students.”

“The fight isn’t over,” said Gaylor. “The forces trying to undermine our public schools and constitutional freedoms are already regrouping. FFRF will continue to defend secular education and the rights of all Americans to be free from government-imposed religion.”