NACSA is disappointed in the recent decision by a federal judge in Oklahoma, allowing The Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School Foundation to continue with plans to open a religious charter school. 

Charter schools are public schools. This is not a matter of preference or branding. It is how charter laws are written in every state that has them. Public schools cannot be religious and, for that reason, we have and continue to firmly oppose religious charter schools. New school proposals that do not protect student and public interests should not be public charter schools. 

We will be closely monitoring this case because we know the legal battle is far from over. And NACSA will continue to uphold charter school authorizers’ clear responsibility to ensure charter schools guarantee equal access to all students and uphold state and federal laws.