Following weeks of delays, the Statewide Charter School Board on Monday, Aug. 12, rescinded its contract with a Catholic online school to comply with an order by the Oklahoma Supreme Court. The board voted 8-0 to rescind the contract, which authorized oversight and public funding of St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School. Board member Ben Lepak was absent, and a designee attended on behalf of Superinten-dent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters.
The board’s motion included a caveat that the contract would be reinstated immediately if the U.S Supreme Court reverses or vacates the state Supreme Court’s June 25 decision, which found the school unconstitutional. Catholic leaders have said they intend to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Statewide Charter School Board faced heavy pressure to honor the court’s decision from Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who took the board to court over its authorization of the school. On July 30, Drummond asked the Court to force the board to comply or face contempt charges.
Board Chairman Brian Shellem said they always planned to comply with the court’s order but were waiting on the court’s ruling on St. Isidore’s request for a stay. The court denied the stay Aug. 5.
Jennifer Palmer has been a reporter with Oklahoma Watch since 2016 and covers education. Contact her at (405) 761-0093 or jpalmer@oklahomawatch.org. Follow her on Twitter @ jpalmerOKC.
