Supreme Court Ruling Keeps Charter Schools Public in Alabama
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A recent deadlock in the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the public status of charter schools in Alabama, averting a potential setback for the state’s charter sector. Advocates expressed relief as the court’s decision maintains an Oklahoma ruling that rejected the approval of the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School — potentially the first religious charter school in the nation.
"This case could have inadvertently turned public charter schools into private entities, jeopardizing years of progress," said Tyler Barnett, president of New Schools for Alabama. Barnett emphasized that charter schools are public institutions dependent on state and federal funding for operations.
Emily Schultz, executive director of Alabama Families for Great Schools, echoed this sentiment, asserting that the court’s decision reinforces the identity of charter schools as public schools. With 14 public charter schools in Alabama serving approximately 8,000 families, the state’s charter sector is experiencing growth.
The St. Isidore school aimed to provide a K-12 online education grounded in Catholic teachings, a move that raised concerns about the separation of church and state and the risk of diverting funds from public schools. Charter schools operate independently yet receive public funding and adhere to antidiscrimination laws.
The case also highlights ongoing discussions about the role of religion in education, particularly in conservative-led states like Alabama, where several religious bills were debated but did not pass in the recent legislative session.
While only eight justices participated in the case, a split vote ultimately preserved the status quo. The door remains open for future legal battles regarding the intersection of religion and public education. Barnett reassured advocates that their mission to expand public charter schools in Alabama will continue as they navigate evolving landscapes of education policy.
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