US Supreme Court to hear Oklahoma religious liberty case

ADF attorneys represent Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Friday to hear Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond. Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys representing the board appealed an Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling that said the board could not authorize a charter contract with St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School solely because the school is religious.

“Oklahoma parents and children are better off with more educational choices, not fewer. There’s great irony in state officials who claim to be in favor of religious liberty discriminating against St. Isidore because of its Catholic beliefs,” said ADF Chief Legal Counsel Jim Campbell. “The U.S. Constitution protects St. Isidore’s freedom to operate according to its faith and supports the board’s decision to approve such learning options for Oklahoma families. We’re pleased the U.S. Supreme Court will hear this case, which is of the utmost import to families and children in Oklahoma and throughout the country.”

Through ADF attorneys, the board defended against a lawsuit Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond filed in the Oklahoma Supreme Court to cancel the board’s charter contract with St. Isidore. The ruling in that lawsuit is what ADF attorneys asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear. The court has repeatedly held that religious groups cannot be excluded from generally available programs solely because of their religious character, yet that is precisely what the Oklahoma Supreme Court directed here.

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, parental rights, and the sanctity of life.

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