Oklahoma Jewish Charter School Funding Stays Unsettled
Oklahoma families weighing online charter options should watch the Dec. 14 board meeting as the state pursues its appeal.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Administration
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Superintendent-elect Robert Franklin has stated his opposition to the Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School application, a proposed taxpayer-funded Jewish online charter school. The Statewide Charter School Board met Thursday, discussed the case in executive session, and voted to continue pursuing an appeal to the Tenth Circuit regarding a preliminary injunction.
Why it matters
The dispute determines whether a faith-based online school can receive public funding in Oklahoma, which would affect how families across the state can access tuition-free online schooling. Franklin cited the state constitution's separation of faith and public education, while the board said it wants clarity from federal and state courts before moving forward.
The board voted in executive session to continue its appeal to the Tenth Circuit over the preliminary injunction. Franklin did not attend Thursday's meeting, and the next Statewide Charter School Board meeting is scheduled for Dec. 14.
The players
Robert Franklin
Oklahoma Superintendent-elect who has publicly opposed the Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School application on church-state separation grounds.
Statewide Charter School Board
The Oklahoma state body that oversees charter school applications and voted to continue its appeal of the injunction.
Tenth Circuit
The federal appellate court to which the board is seeking an appeal of the preliminary injunction.
The details
Ben Gamla is a proposed online charter school that would be funded with public taxpayer dollars while operating as a Jewish school. The Statewide Charter School Board deliberated the case in executive session before voting to keep pursuing an appeal. Franklin stated he voted no on the archdiocese when serving on the virtual charter board, and he has argued that faith and public education must remain separate under the state's constitution.
Timeline
Thursday: Statewide Charter School Board met, discussed the case in executive session, and voted to pursue appeal.
Dec. 14: Next Statewide Charter School Board meeting.
The Home Front
The dispute centers on whether a religiously affiliated online school can receive public funds under Oklahoma's constitutional separation of church and state. The outcome could shape how charter applications from faith-based groups are evaluated statewide.
If you have school-age children, check whether any online charter options are available in your area and compare enrollment deadlines before the board's next decision. Keep records of any school-choice notices you receive, since policies on public funding for online schools can change after court rulings.
The takeaway
Public-funding rules for online charter schools depend on how courts read the state constitution, so the outcome of this appeal could affect school options for Oklahoma families. Track the Dec. 14 Statewide Charter School Board meeting agenda if you want to follow the next step.
What happens next
The Statewide Charter School Board is scheduled to meet again on Dec. 14, when further action on the appeal may be discussed.
Further reading
For broader context on how state education agencies manage charter approvals, see Administration coverage in Oklahoma.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KOCO.
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