Trendpills
The Oklahoma Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit challenging State Superintendent Ryan Walters' mandate to place Bibles in public school classrooms. The decision came after the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) board informed the court it would not enforce the directive, rendering the case moot.
The legal battle began after Walters, in June 2024, issued a mandate requiring public schools to acquire Bibles and incorporate them into the curriculum for grades 5 through 12. He framed the initiative as a way to teach students about the historical significance of the Bible in Western civilization. To fund this, Walters sought a $3 million state appropriation to purchase Bibles for every classroom. The move immediately drew criticism and led to a lawsuit from a coalition of over 30 parents and faith leaders, who argued the mandate was a clear violation of the Oklahoma Constitution’s separation of church and state.
In March 2025, the state's high court issued a temporary stay, halting the state's plan to purchase Bibles while it considered the case. The turning point occurred when the OSDE Board’s new general counsel, Lindel Fields, formally notified the court that the board did not intend to enforce Walters' directive. With no active enforcement of the mandate, the Supreme Court concluded there was no longer a live controversy to rule on, leading to the dismissal.
Following the court's decision, both sides claimed victory. Superintendent Walters stated on social media that the court had not ruled against him, interpreting the dismissal as a win. However, the plaintiffs also declared success, as their primary goal was to prevent the mandate's implementation. A lawyer for the plaintiffs noted that the state's pledge not to enforce the rule effectively achieved their objective. While the lawsuit is over, the court did not issue a definitive ruling on the constitutionality of placing Bibles in public schools, leaving the core legal question unanswered.
