Okla. Attorney General Files Lawsuit; Ryan Walters And Gov. Stitt Respond

Attorney General Gentner Drummond has filed a lawsuit regarding the first ever publicly funded religious charter school. 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.

“I've taken an oath of office that I take seriously and that oath of office requires that I defend our constitution and uphold our laws and in this instance that requires that I defend religious liberty,” said Drummond. Drummond says in the lawsuit, he is compelled to file the suit because of the board members “intentional violation of their oath of office and disregard for the clear and unambiguous provisions of the Oklahoma Constitution.” “This act by three renegade, law breaking board members, drives a stake in the heart of religious liberty,” said Drummond. “I'm asking the State Supreme Court to submit a writ that prohibits the contract from going forward.”

St. Isidore would not only be the first publicly funded religious school in Oklahoma, it would be the first in the U.S. The AG says this sets a dangerous precedent saying, “tomorrow we may be forced to fund radical Muslim teachings.” Drummond also says going forward with the school could put more than $1 billion in annual federal education funding at risk. He explained we can only maintain those funds if we comply with the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which “clearly prohibits a religious public charter school.” “For us to be able to continue to worship as we choose or not worship we have to maintain a separation and we have to have the State of Oklahoma and elected officials uphold the rule of law and that is my duty,” said Drummond.

Governor Stitt was named in the press release announcing the lawsuit, where Drummond is quoted saying, “In fact, Governor Stitt has already indicated that he would welcome a Muslim charter school funded by our tax dollars. That is a gross violation of our religious liberty.” The chairman of the board, Dr. Robert Franklin, was still reviewing the lawsuit when we spoke with him, but said that legal action was anticipated.

State Superintendent Ryan Walters responded in a statement, saying “The Constitution is crystal clear on religious liberty, but that fundamental truth is lost on some people. Oklahomans hold their faith and their liberty sacred, and atheism should not be the state-sponsored religion. We should not play politics with the future of our kids through this misguided lawsuit.”

Walters went on to say, “Oklahoma parents know what is best for their kids and deserve the most expansive system of school choice in the country so they can make the right decision for their families. The approval of St. Isidore of Seville is a landmark in the battle for educational and religious freedom, and I am proud that Oklahoma is leading the way. We will never back down.”