State Board Of Education Rescinds Charter School Funding Decision

The Oklahoma State Board of Education voted unanimously on Monday to rescind its controversial plan of providing more state funding to Oklahoma charter schools.

The narrow vote on March 25 directed a share of local tax dollars to charter schools. The decision was meant to resolve a 2017 lawsuit filed by the Oklahoma Public Charter School Association.

It was also met with criticism, including from state Superintendent Joy Hofmeister. She questioned the constitutionality of the decision.

The resolution received backlash from school districts across the state which decided to take legal action.

The vote to rescind the March resolution was dependent upon dismissal of the 2017 lawsuit, a release of claims against the state Board of Education, a release of claims against the state Department of Education and the passing of Senate Bill 229.

The bill, which now sits on the governor’s desk, directs medical marijuana tax revenue and state building dollars to help fund schools earning below the state average in revenue. The funding would also go to non-virtual charter schools.

The Oklahoma Public Charter School Association leaders and Hofmeister voiced support for the bill.

Gov. Kevin Stitt is expected to sign SB 229 into law.