Supreme Court Deadlock Upholds Ban on Public Funding for Religious Charter Schools

The US Supreme Court delivered a 4-4 split decision on May 22, 2025, effectively blocking the establishment of a publicly funded religious charter school in Oklahoma. This decision stems from a case where the lower court ruled that such funding would violate the First Amendment's separation of church and state. The tie vote means the lower court's ruling stands. Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself from the case due to personal ties to the school. The school in question is a Catholic institution. While this is a developing story, the decision is a significant win for those advocating for the separation of church and state. The case highlights the ongoing tension between religious freedom and the constitutional principle of preventing government endorsement of religion.