What Even Is a Charter School? (And Why Everyone’s Arguing About Them Again)
By. Carolyn Hankins Wolfe
From my early days organizing in the PTA to now serving on the Board of Education, I’ve been asked thousands of questions about public schools. It comes with the territory, and I’m always happy to answer—after all, public education is one of the most important systems we’ve got.
But more often than not, what I think is a simple answer leads to a lot of blank stares. Then come the follow-up questions, and before I know it, what was supposed to be a quick conversation has turned into an impromptu TED Talk in the grocery store parking lot.
So, I’ve decided to start putting some of these common education questions into writing. These pieces will cover hot topics in the news, offer some plain-English explanations, and—because I can’t resist—sprinkle in a little educational history along the way.
Let’s kick things off with a big one: charter schools—and more specifically, the rise of religious charter schools. Why now? Because a U.S. Supreme Court case that started out of Oklahoma just made national headlines after delivering a 4-4 deadlock on the legality of using public funds for a religious charter school. And when the Supreme Court is split like that, the lower court's decision stands—setting no national precedent, but leaving the door wide open for future battles.
So… What Is a Charter School?
Conversations about charter schools come and go, but the concept is often misunderstood. At their core, charter schools are publicly funded but privately run schools that operate under a charter—a kind of performance contract—that exempts them from many of the regulations traditional public schools must follow. For those that remember Amendment 2 from the 2024 election, it is kind of the same concept as school vouchers.
When I was first elected in November 2022, I got a front-row seat to the charter school drama here in Kentucky. The KY legislature had passed a bill allowing charter schools to operate, but they needed authorizers—that is, official entities to approve and oversee them. In Kentucky, potential authorizers include:
The local school board where the proposed school would be located
A group of local boards forming a regional collaborative
The Board of Trustees of Northern Kentucky University (NKU)
Back in 2022, NKU declined to act as an authorizer for a pilot charter school in Northern Kentucky. Their concerns mirrored those voiced by public school districts: issues with funding, governance, and serious constitutional questions.
Next, it was mandated that a collaborative board be created, including at least two school board members from any county with four or more school districts. This would leave out Boone County, with only 2 school districts. That board was required to review and potentially approve charter school applications by July 1, 2024. But here in Northern Kentucky? No applications were even submitted.
Later, the Kentucky Supreme Court ruled that the funding mechanism created in the bill was unconstitutional—a huge setback for charter proponents.
So for now, the charter school push has stalled—at least in our corner of the state.
But The Case In the U.S. Supreme Court was not about authorization…
The Oklahoma case that recently made headlines wasn’t about authorizing charter schools. It was about something far more foundational: whether public tax dollars can be used to fund a religious charter school better known as the separation of church and state.
Specifically, it involved a Catholic virtual charter school seeking state funding. The issue wasn't whether the school could exist—but whether taxpayers should foot the bill for an institution that is openly religious. That’s a direct challenge to the First Amendment’s.
Interestingly, even Republicans were split. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond (R) opposed the religious charter, arguing that public dollars shouldn’t be used for any religious instruction—not Catholic, not Islamic, not any. After the tie vote, Drummond applauded the outcome because it preserved that line. He pointed out, rightly, that once one religion is allowed to use state funds, others will (and should) follow—and that’s not a road everyone is willing to go down.
Why This Matters—And Why You Should Care
This case wasn’t just about one Catholic charter school in one red state. It’s part of a growing movement—across the country and here in Kentucky—to chip away at public education by redirecting public funds to private and religious schools. It’s happening through charter expansion, school vouchers, education savings accounts, and increasingly bold legal strategies.
Some supporters will tell you this is about “choice.” But let’s be honest: choice without oversight and accountability is just privatization in disguise. And when those choices pull resources away from traditional public schools—which are legally required to serve all students regardless of ability, income, or belief—the result is fewer resources for the kids who need it most.
That’s not a bug in the plan. That is the plan.
What Else Should You Know?
Other concerns with charter schools include:
Lack of transparency: Many are run by private companies not subject to open records laws.
Selective enrollment: Despite being public, some charters find ways to “counsel out” students with disabilities or behavioral challenges.
Drain on local funding: When money follows the student, local public schools are left with fewer resources but the same responsibilities.
Weakened community control: School boards are elected. Charter operators are not.
This won’t be the last time you hear about charter schools—or court cases testing the boundaries of public education and religious freedom. So let’s stay informed, stay engaged, and keep asking questions—even if it leads to more grocery store TED Talks.
Stay tuned for the next installment—and if there’s a topic you’re confused about or keep hearing mentioned without a good explanation, let me know. I’ll break it down.
Because understanding education shouldn’t feel overwhelming.