After a prolonged legal battle, the Oklahoma State Board of Education has finally complied with an order from the Oklahoma Supreme Court to rescind the contract between the state and St. Isidore Catholic School. The decision comes after the court ruled that the board had violated the state constitution by entering into a contract with the private school without proper authorization.
The controversy began when the board approved a contract with St. Isidore, a private religious school, to provide educational services to students in the state’s virtual charter schools. Critics argued that the arrangement violated the separation of church and state mandated by the state constitution.
Despite the court’s ruling, the board initially refused to rescind the contract, leading to further legal challenges and public outcry. However, the board eventually acquiesced and formally rescinded the contract, effectively ending the partnership with St. Isidore.
The decision has been met with mixed reactions, with supporters of the contract expressing disappointment and frustration at the board’s compliance with the court order. However, opponents of the partnership have hailed the decision as a victory for the separation of church and state in Oklahoma’s education system.
Moving forward, the board is expected to explore other options for providing educational services to virtual charter school students in the state. The controversy surrounding the St. Isidore contract has sparked a wider discussion about the role of private religious schools in the state’s education system, with many calling for greater oversight and accountability in future partnerships.
Overall, the board’s decision to rescind the contract with St. Isidore marks a significant victory for advocates of the separation of church and state in Oklahoma’s education system.
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