Supreme Court upholds Oklahoma decision, in blow to religious charter schools

The Supreme Court has made a significant ruling in a school choice case, with a 4-4 vote upholding the Oklahoma State Supreme Court’s decision. The case centered around a religious charter school’s request for state funds, which was deemed unconstitutional by the lower court.

In a brief one-sentence statement, the Justices affirmed the lower court’s decision, stating, “The judgment is affirmed by an equally divided Court.” Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself from the ruling, leading to the split decision.

The controversy began when the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board approved St. Isidore’s contract request in June 2023, allowing them to receive public funds. However, this decision was challenged by the Oklahoma Supreme Court, citing a violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

The case raised crucial questions about the classification of charter schools. Should they be treated as public schools, subject to the Establishment Clause, or as private entities? This debate is particularly relevant as it pertains to religious charter schools, making this case the first of its kind.

As this story continues to develop, stay tuned for further updates on this landmark ruling. Breanne Deppisch, a national politics reporter for Fox News Digital, covers the Trump administration and other national news, providing insightful analysis on cases like these.