Thu May 22 17:59:52 UTC 2025: ## Supreme Court Deadlock on Oklahoma Catholic Charter School Leaves Lower Court Ruling Intact

**Washington D.C.** – The U.S. Supreme Court reached a tie vote on Thursday in a case concerning the proposed St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School in Oklahoma, effectively upholding a lower court ruling that bars the use of public funds for the school. The deadlock, resulting from Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s recusal, prevents the creation of a new precedent on the funding of religious charter schools, leaving the legal landscape uncertain.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court had previously ruled against the establishment of St. Isidore, arguing that it would violate the constitutional separation of church and state by using government funds to support religious instruction within a public school setting. The Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City appealed the decision to the Supreme Court, sparking a national debate on religious freedom and the role of government funding in education.

While the Supreme Court’s split decision avoids setting a national precedent, it leaves the Oklahoma ruling in place. This means the St. Isidore school, which would have been the first publicly funded Catholic charter school in the country, will not move forward as planned.

Justice Barrett’s recusal is widely believed to be due to her close relationship with Nicole Garnett, an advisor to the St. Isidore school. The two women clerked together and later taught at the University of Notre Dame.

The outcome has been met with mixed reactions. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which has been critical of the proposed school, hailed the deadlock as a victory for the separation of church and state. However, proponents of St. Isidore have vowed to continue fighting for educational choice and the right of religious schools to access public funding.

The case highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution and the extent to which government can support religious institutions. With a conservative supermajority on the Supreme Court, many observers believe the issue will likely resurface in future cases.

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