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The Statewide Virtual Charter School Board held its final meeting Monday (the Legislature dissolved the board to make way for a new, larger board with more responsibility). The next day, Tuesday, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, which the board authorizes, is unconstitutional.
That left just enough time to call another final meeting, scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Friday, to address any lingering legal issues with the school. The court ruling invalidates St. Isidore’s contract, preventing it from receiving state funding. An executive session with legal counsel is the only substantive item on Friday’s agenda.
St. Isidore’s board also plans to meet Friday, in Broken Arrow at 10 a.m., according to a meeting schedule online. A message on the school’s website says its leaders will discuss next steps at the meeting. There’s also a joint statement from Archbishop Paul Coakley and Bishop David Konderla of the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma that reads: “Today’s ruling is very disappointing for the hundreds of prospective students and their families from across the state of Oklahoma who desired the educational experience and promise of St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School. We will consider all legal options and remain steadfast in our belief that St. Isidore would have and could still be a valuable asset to students, regardless of socioeconomic, race or faith backgrounds.”
Oklahoma currently has seven virtual charter schools that enrolled nearly 34,000 students combined last school year. Starting July 1, the new Statewide Charter School Board will oversee all of them, plus several brick-and-mortar charters that are currently under the Oklahoma Board of Education.
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— Jennifer Palmer
Recommended Reading
- Oklahoma City schools cut leadership positions and reorganized its central office staff to preserve class sizes. The plan was proposed by incoming superintendent Jamie Polk. [The Oklahoman]
- Gov. Kevin Stitt approved all of Superintendent Ryan Walters’ administrative rules. Among them is a rule that will tie accreditation status to student test scores. [Oklahoma Voice]
- U.S. schools received $190 billion in pandemic aid to help students recover, the largest one-time federal investment in American education. Did it work? [The New York Times]
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