The Guthrie Public Schools Board of Education has decided to join more than 100 Oklahoma school districts in potential legal action against the Oklahoma State Board of Education.
The board voted 5-0 in favor of proceeding with potential legal action at its April 12 meeting.
On March 25, the state board settled a lawsuit with the Oklahoma Public Charter School Association by a resolution declaring a charter school “shall receive from its sponsoring local school district board of education its proportionate share of the General Fund, the Building Fund, all other Local Revenue and all State Dedicated Revenue.”
Prior to the resolution, charter schools received state-appropriated revenue but no local revenue.
Although GPS has not publicly stated its objection, many of the involved school districts stated they believe the resolution may violate state law. Non-charter public schools would lose money as funds are redirected to nearby charter schools. Edmond Public Schools, for example, said in a statement the resolution could cost the district as much as $600,000 each year.
In its resolution, the state board said the state legislature declared charter schools to be public schools.
“The Legislature in the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act (the “Act”) provides, in part, that charter schools shall be eligible to receive any other aid, grants or revenues allowed to other schools,” according to the resolution. “The Act also provides that a charter school, in addition to money received from the State of Oklahoma, may receive money from any other source.”
Guthrie Public Schools declined to comment, citing it is still consulting with legal counsel.
“The Act also provides that a charter school, in addition to money received from the State of Oklahoma, may receive money from any other source.”