Oklahoma Attorney General Files Lawsuit to Stop Nation’s First Religious Charter School
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has filed a lawsuit regarding the first ever publicly funded religious charter school in the United States. Drummond calls this an “irreparable violation of individual religious liberty and an unthinkable waste of taxpayer dollars.”
The lawsuit was filed in the state supreme court, but Drummond said he is willing to litigate the issue to the United States Supreme Court, “if that’s what is required to protect our Constitutional rights.” The catholic charter school, St. Isidore, was approved in June by the Oklahoma Virtual Charter School Board. Drummond is suing the five members on the board who voted 3 to 2 to approve the school. “The board members who approved this contract have violated the religious liberty of every Oklahoman by forcing us to fund the teachings of a specific religious sect with our tax dollars,” Drummond said.
The recent lawsuit hits close to home for us, as we're not just as members of the legal community, but also parents whose children attend public schools in Oklahoma. This issue involves the intersection of law, education, religion, and the use of taxpayer dollars, making it a complex yet crucial matter that affects all Oklahomans.
The Legal Grounding
The constitutional principles at play here are clear-cut. The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution forbids the government from establishing a religion. Similarly, the Oklahoma Constitution prohibits the use of public funds for the benefit of any religious institution. Drummond's stance is firmly rooted in established law, and his intent to protect constitutional rights by potentially escalating this issue to the U.S. Supreme Court demonstrates the gravity of the situation.
What’s at Stake for Parents
As parents with children in Oklahoma public schools, this case resonates on a personal level. If public funding is diverted to religious charter schools, what resources are being taken away from already underfunded public schools? Moreover, should taxpayer dollars—contributed by people of all faiths and none—be used to finance the teachings of one particular religious sect? There are many avenues for religious education that do not involve the use of public funds, and it's essential to preserve the separation of church and state in educational settings.
The Risk to Federal Funding
Drummond also raises a compelling point about the potential loss of over $1 billion in annual federal education funding. Should the school go ahead, we risk contravening the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which could jeopardize the financial support that our schools so desperately need. In this light, the lawsuit is not merely about religious freedom but also about the fiscal responsibility owed to Oklahoma’s children and future.
A Sensitive Issue, Handled Right
We acknowledge that religion and education are deeply ingrained in Oklahoma's social fabric, making this an extremely sensitive issue for many. However, it's crucial to differentiate between individual freedom to practice religion and the state's endorsement or funding of a specific religion. Drummond's approach is a thoughtful attempt to maintain this balance and uphold the rule of law, even as he navigates the contentious waters of public opinion.
In Conclusion
Attorney General Drummond's lawsuit against the board members who approved St. Isidore is an essential step in safeguarding constitutional principles and the quality and fairness of education in Oklahoma. The path ahead is fraught with legal and ethical complexities, but it's a journey that must be undertaken to preserve the values that our nation—and state—hold dear.
As the case progresses, we’ll be watching closely, both as legal professionals committed to upholding the law and as parents invested in the future of Oklahoma’s public education. We invite you to join us in this critical discourse that shapes not just policy but also the lives of our children.