News Briefs: Board rescinds religious charter school; Democrats want two impeached

(The Center Square) – Here's a look at some of the latest stories out of Oklahoma.

Board rescinds approval of religious charter school

The Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board rescinded the charter of what would be the nation's first religious charter school at its meeting on Monday.

But that board did not rule it a possible legal battle that could go to the U.S. Supreme Court over the board's approval last year of the St. Isidore of Seville Virtual Catholic Charter School.

"This does not negate anything or anything the previous actions of the Board, the meeting that we had on July 30, so with that I would entertain a motion," said Board Chairman Brian Shellem.

The board would reinstate the school if a court "changes its mind," the motion said.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled in June that the approval by the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board in 2023 was unconstitutional. The authority to approve virtual charter schools now rests with the statewide charter school board after the virtual board was disbanded and merged with the charter school board.

The board voted to take the case to the nation's highest court at its July 30 meeting.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond supported the decision to rescind the charter.

“While it is appalling that the Board took so long to recognize the authority of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, I am pleased that board members finally fulfilled their duty," Drummond said in a statement. "The proposed state-sponsored religious charter school, funded by our tax dollars, represents a serious threat to the religious liberty of all four million Oklahomans.”

Oklahoma House Democrats call on special sessions to impeach Walters, Hiett

Oklahoma House Democrats continue to issue calls to impeach Oklahoma State School Superintendent Ryan Walters, and the House Democratic Leader wants an Oklahoma Corporation Commission member ousted.

Democrats are at odds with Walters over several recent policies, including one requiring schools to include the Bible as part of their curriculum. Their latest grievance is over Walters' decision to rescind funds from some school districts for security enhancements.

House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, has called for a special session to remove Oklahoma Corporation Commission member Todd Hiett.

Hiett stepped aside this week as chairman amid allegations of sexual misconduct that occurred at a June convention in Minnesota. OCC Commissioner Bob Anthony has called on Hiett, the former speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, to resign.

“The new school year is upon us, and we have lost faith in the leadership of OSDE to support our school districts for student learning,” said Democratic Caucus Chair Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater.

Group says it has enough signatures to get minimum wage increase on the ballot

The group Raise the Wage said Monday it has enough signatures to get a proposed minimum wage increase on the November ballot.

According to the group's Facebook page , 92,263 signatures were turned in to the Oklahoma Secretary of State's Office. The number of verified signatures needed to get on the ballot is 157,287.

If approved by voters, the amendment to the state's minimum wage act would gradually raise the amount from $7.25 an hour to $15 in 2029.

The secretary of state's office must validate the signatures before the question can appear on the ballot.