Oklahoma Supreme Court: Catholic Charter School is Unconstitutional
Tuesday’s big Oklahoma news was the state Supreme Court’s ruling that St. Isidore, the proposed Catholic virtual charter school, is unconstitutional.
That probably didn’t even surprise the respondents, which include the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, the now-defunct Statewide Virtual Charter School Board and St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School.
Everyone said exactly what you’d expect them to say. Attorney General Gentner Drummond took a victory lap; Oklahoma City Archbishop Paul Coakley and Tulsa Bishop David Konderla said they were disappointed.
Those favoring St. Isidore said the ruling is a restriction of religious freedom. Those opposed said it upholds religious freedom.
Expect an appeal.
Read Jennifer Palmer’s story about the legal and political consequences of Tuesday’s decision here.
Or read your favorite version of the daily coverage. Here’s the long and short of it:
- Sean Murphy (564 words) [AP]
- Michelle Boorstein (614 words) [WAPO]
- Sara Randazzo and Matt Barnum (621 words) [WSJ]
- Beth Wallace (641 words) [StateImpact]
- Andrea Eger (768 words) [Tulsa World]
- Sarah Mervosh (773 words) [NYT]
- Murray Evans (1,242 words) [The Oklahoman]
- Nuria Martinez-Keel (1,391 words) [Oklahoma Voice]
- Tres Savage and Bennett Brinkman (1,446 words) [NonDoc]
More worth reading:
SCOTUS Upholds Horse Racing Rules
The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a challenge from Oklahoma, Louisiana and West Virginia to a horse racing safety law that has led to national medication and anti-doping rules. [AP]
Pioneering OU Aviator Dies at 87
As a member of the University of Oklahoma’s “Air Knockers,” she was winning collegiate air races and racking up national awards. To afford her passion, on top of her tuition, Gene Nora Jessen taught flying. She went on to be part of NASA’s Women in Space program during the Mercury era. [WSJ]
Controversial Education Rules Approved
Gov. Kevin Stitt has approved a controversial set of rules from the Oklahoma State Department of Education, as expected after the Legislature declined to take action on the regulations. [Oklahoma Voice]
Fiscal 2023 Oklahoma lottery revenue was $380 million.
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Ciao for now,
Ted Streuli
Executive Director, Oklahoma Watch
tstreuli@oklahomawatch.org
