Oklahoma Taxpayer-Funded Catholic Charter School Struck Down by Supreme Court Tie Vote

The Supreme Court has effectively ended a publicly funded Catholic charter school in Oklahoma, with a tie vote of 4-4. The outcome maintains an earlier decision by an Oklahoma court that invalidated the state charter school board's approval of St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, which would have been the nation's first religious charter school.

The Catholic Church had sought taxpayer funding for the online charter school, which aimed to be "faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ." However, opponents warned that allowing it would blur the separation between church and state, drain funds from public schools, and potentially disrupt rules governing charter schools across nearly every state.

"Opponents warned that allowing it would blur the separation between church and state, sap money from public schools and possibly upend the rules governing charter schools in almost every state."

Only eight of the nine justices participated in the case. Justice Amy Coney Barrett did not explain her absence, although she is known to be friends with Notre Dame law professor Nicole Garnett, an adviser to the school.

The issue may return to the high court in the future, potentially involving all nine justices.