A tree at Lake El Reno is silhouetted as the sun begins to rise.

The state Board of Education came to an unexpected resolution in a four-year-old charter school funding lawsuit Thursday in a move the state superintendent and their attorney say sidesteps the Legislature and violates the state constitution. 

The resolution, approved by a 4-to-3 vote, allows charter schools to tap into several state and local revenue streams previously off limits to charters, including general fund, building fund and county levies. Currently charter schools only receive state-appropriated funds. 

Supporters of U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe expected the worst when he took the stage at Saturday’s Oklahoma GOP convention after his popularity had been tested by refusing to vote to challenge the Electoral College decision in January.

Not a mask was in sight as Inhofe laid out his reasons for voting to certify the election of Democratic President Joe Biden before hundreds of the party’s faithful gathered in Oklahoma City’s shiny new convention center.

El Reno High School February/March Students of the Month, from left, freshmen Ana Montes and Colin Tinsley (not pictured); sophomores Kyston Haines and Madison Patswald; juniors Gavin Crawford and Kylee Chandler (not pictured); seniors Ella McReynolds and Erick Loera Cavario (not pictured).