CV NEWS FEED // Catholic leaders of Oklahoma have responded to the Supreme Court’s decision to ban the nation’s first Catholic charter school by expressing disappointment and the hope that the court’s error will be corrected in the future.
As CatholicVote previously reported, St. Isidore of Seville Virtual School was set to launch this fall, with 200 Oklahoman families already enrolled. However, its opening led to immediate controversy and pushback from opponents.
Finally, as reported by CatholicVote, on June 25 the Supreme Court ruled that the nation’s first Catholic charter school is unconstitutional.
Oklahoma clergy and Catholic educational leaders have issued a response to the Supreme Court’s ruling, expressing profound disappointment.
Archbishop Paul Coakley, from the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, and Bishop David Konderla, from the Diocese of Tulsa, expressed in a joint statement that the 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.”
Lara Schuler, Senior Director of Catholic Education of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, expressed the sentiment felt by many hopeful students and families of the new school; “Clearly, we are disappointed in today’s ruling as it disregards the needs of many families in Oklahoma who only desire a choice in their child’s education.”
Misty Smith, Principal of St. Isidore, understands this ruling to be undoubtedly a “…setback for Oklahoma K-12 students and to the ideal of free choice and open opportunity in education.”
However, Smith went on to reaffirm her resolve, writing, “I, however, will not give up hope that the Court’s error may be corrected and that St. Isidore will help open the path toward a future where the needs of all Oklahoma students and families are fulfilled.”
Schuler wrote, “We will remain steadfast as we seek to right this wrong and to join Oklahoma’s great diversity of charter schools serving all families in the state.”
Archbishop Coakley and Bishop Konderla echo these statements: “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.”
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Author: Rachel Quackenbush
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