US EditionOK Statewide Charter School Board Rejects Jewish Virtual Charter School Application
The board cited a 2024 state Supreme Court ruling deeming publicly funded religious charter schools unconstitutional, rejecting the Jewish virtual charter school application unanimously.
- Unanimously, the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board rejected the Ben Gamla application on Monday during its meeting.
- Following the Oklahoma Supreme Court's 2024 ruling, which cited a law against publicly funded religious charter schools, the board referenced this decision in its rejection, after the U.S. Supreme Court's 4-4 split last year.
- Ben Gamla's legal team Becket said the rejection violates the Constitution's Free Exercise clause and announced plans to sue, while Tulsa Jewish Federation and local Jewish leaders criticized Ben Gamla for failing to consult.
- Immediately after the vote, the board approved hiring outside legal counsel and Brian Shellem, SCSB Chairman, said he would be shocked if a lawsuit is not filed by Friday.
- With fewer than 9,000 Jews in Oklahoma, the outcome carries local significance and involves high-profile actors including Gentner Drummond, Oklahoma Attorney General, the U.S. Supreme Court, and Becket.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Oklahoma board denies proposal for Jewish charter school — and lawyers up ahead of expected legal battle
A Jewish group is preparing to sue to overturn a ban on publicly funded religious charter schools in Oklahoma, after a state board unanimously rejected its proposal on Monday. The Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board’s decision blocked an application from the National Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School Foundation to open a statewide virtual Jewish school serving grades K-12 beginning next school year. Ben Gamla’s legal team, led by Becket, a pro…
Oklahoma Charter Board Blocks Proposed Jewish Virtual School, Cites Court Rulings
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma’s Statewide Charter School Board voted Monday to reject an application for a religious virtual charter school backed by a Florida-based Jewish network, saying it is bound by state constitutional limits and a prior court ruling. The proposal by Ben Gamla Charter School sought to open an online public charter school […]
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 58% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
