Circuit Court Upholds Boone County Charter School Law
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway secured a complete legal victory on October 29, 2026, when the Cole County Circuit Court upheld the state statute authorizing public charter schools in Boone County. Columbia Public Schools had initiated a lawsuit against the state, the Missouri State Board of Education, and the Attorney General to challenge the constitutionality of the expansion and block a St. Louis University-sponsored charter application in Columbia. Circuit Judge Emily Fretwell rejected the district’s challenge, ruling that the statute is neither an unconstitutional local nor special law and complies with the Missouri Constitution. The court’s judgment denied the school district’s request for declaratory and injunctive relief, cementing the legality of the State Board of Education’s approval.
Columbia Public Schools Challenges State Board Approval
The legal battle began after the Missouri State Board of Education approved an application from St. Louis University to sponsor a public charter school in Columbia. Columbia Public Schools responded by filing a lawsuit in the Cole County Circuit Court, contending that the underlying statute permitting charter schools in Boone County violated the Missouri Constitution as an improper special law. The district sought to invalidate both the statutory framework and the specific board action that paved the way for the new charter campus. Assistant Solicitor General Ryan Dugan tried the case.
Good news for Boone County, Missouri, families: a court upheld the state law that opens the door to more public charter schools there, and @FrontierSchools is set to open a campus in fall 2027. Congrats to @MOCharterSchool, who filed a brief in support!Read more here ⬇️…
Court Rejects Constitutional Claims
Judge Fretwell issued a definitive ruling dismissing all counts brought by Columbia Public Schools against the state. The court found that the statute expanding charter school eligibility to Boone County operates within constitutional boundaries and does not constitute impermissible special legislation. Because the underlying law passed constitutional muster, the court ruled that the subsequent approval granted by the Missouri State Board of Education for the Columbia charter school was lawful. The decision leaves the state’s charter school expansion intact and dismisses the school district’s attempts to halt the project.
Attorney General Defends Educational Expansion
“As a mother, I know families need options that fit their child, not a one-size-fits-all system,” General Hanaway said in a statement. “This win protects educational opportunity and keeps the focus on what families need, not what institutions prefer. We will keep fighting to ensure students have the support, resources, and options they need to succeed.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific court handled the Boone County charter school lawsuit?
The Cole County Circuit Court handled the litigation, with Circuit Judge Emily Fretwell issuing the final ruling on October 29, 2026.
Which university sponsored the contested public charter school application?
St. Louis University sponsored the application to open a public charter school in Columbia, which prompted the legal challenge from Columbia Public Schools.
Who represented the state of Missouri in the litigation?
Assistant Solicitor General Ryan Dugan tried the case on behalf of the Missouri Attorney General’s Office, securing a complete denial of the school district’s request for declaratory and injunctive relief.
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