Oklahoma’s Statewide Charter School Board met on Monday to consider the application for the Ben Gamla Charter School, a proposed religion‑based charter school that would be the first of its kind in the nation. The board’s vote ended 4‑3 in favor of the school, but state rules require at least five affirmative votes for a decision to carry.
Vote outcome and board response
Board member Brian Shellem explained the result, “Three nos and four yeses. It does not carry. We need five votes—a majority. Welcome to the roller‑coaster ride.” One board seat is currently vacant and another member was absent, leaving the board unable to meet the required threshold.
“Ben Gamla is welcome to submit another application,” Shellem added, indicating that the school may re‑file once the board’s composition allows a full quorum.
School officials react
Brett Farley, a board member representing Ben Gamla, expressed disappointment but remained hopeful. “We’re obviously disappointed. We were very excited about the prospect of opening the school, but this is not the end. This is a setback, but it’s not the end,” he said. Farley noted that the school will explore legal options for an appeal while awaiting another opportunity to present its case.
Legal context and prior rulings
The board’s legal counsel, A.J. Ferate, clarified that the vote must still satisfy the court‑ordered requirements that ensure the charter meets detailed operational standards. “The board has one vacancy. There was one absent, and so, of those on the board, the vote was 4–3. But the threshold was five votes. As of this moment, the board doesn’t meet the threshold for that,” Ferate said.
Last month, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction allowing Ben Gamla to proceed while litigation continues. The injunction was a significant step because Oklahoma law traditionally requires public charter schools to be nonsectarian, meaning they cannot be tied to a single religious group.
Implications for Oklahoma’s charter school landscape
If approved, Ben Gamla would become the first religion‑based charter school in the United States, setting a precedent for how faith‑based education can operate within the public charter system. Supporters argue that the school would provide families with a choice that aligns with their religious values while still adhering to academic standards.
Critics, however, maintain that public charter schools must remain secular to ensure equal treatment of all students regardless of faith. The board’s earlier rejection of the application cited this nonsectarian requirement.
Next steps
The Statewide Charter School Board’s legal team indicated that it is too early to set a new date for a vote. The school had hoped to open as early as August 2027, but the Monday vote may push that timeline back depending on how quickly the board can fill its vacancy and reconvene.
Stakeholders, including parents, educators, and faith‑based community leaders, will be watching the next round of proceedings closely. The outcome will likely influence future discussions about the role of religious education within Oklahoma’s public charter system.
Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
