Thu May 22 17:40:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article rewrite of the provided text:
**Summary:**
The Supreme Court, deadlocked 4-4 due to Justice Barrett’s recusal, upheld the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s decision to block the establishment of St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, a religious charter school. This means Oklahoma cannot use public funds to operate the school, which aimed to integrate Catholic teachings into its curriculum. The tie vote sets no national precedent regarding the legality of religious charter schools.
**News Article:**
**Supreme Court Deadlock Blocks Nation’s First Religious Charter School in Oklahoma**
**Washington, D.C.** – The Supreme Court, in a 4-to-4 deadlock, has effectively blocked Oklahoma’s plan to establish St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, the nation’s first publicly funded religious charter school. The tie vote, resulting from Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s recusal, upholds a previous ruling by the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
The proposed school, to be operated by the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa, aimed to weave Catholic doctrine throughout its curriculum and activities. The Oklahoma Supreme Court initially ruled against the plan, citing concerns over the separation of church and state.
The Supreme Court’s split decision provides no legal reasoning and, importantly, sets no national precedent on the constitutionality of using public funds to support religious charter schools. The case leaves unresolved the broader question of whether the First Amendment allows states to sponsor and finance schools that actively promote religious teachings.
While the Court did not disclose individual justices’ votes, Justice Barrett’s recusal was noted. While she offered no specific reason, it has been noted that she maintains a friendship with an adviser to the school.
Charter schools are typically public schools operated independently, often by non-profit organizations. St. Isidore had controversially argued it would operate as a private school contracted with the government. The outcome leaves the future of such proposals uncertain.
First Piper 