Columbia’s school board has voted unanimously to file a lawsuit against the state of Missouri and others, saying 2024 legislation signed into law by then-Governor Mike Parson (R) that allows charter schools in Boone County is unconstitutional.
Board president John Lyman made Monday afternoon’s announcement at the Aslin building on West Worley:
“These actions are about protecting constitutional principles and ensuring that public education decisions in Boone County are made by people who are accountable to the voters and the families that live here. This decision was made by the board thoughtfully and unanimously,” Mr. Lyman says.
Frontier hopes to open a charter school in Boone County in 2026. Columbia Public Schools (CPS) says a Frontier charter school would take more than $4-million in public dollars away from CPS in the first year of operation.
Then-Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) sponsored the 2024 bill authorizing charter schools in Boone County. Senator Rowden said at that time that he had heard from many parents and business leaders on both sides of the aisle who asked for more choice for Columbia-area residents. Senator Rowden also said then that you can support CPS and still believe Columbia needs more choices for parents and children.
CPS is Missouri’s fourth-largest school district. They filed the lawsuit on Monday in Cole County Circuit Court because Jefferson City is the seat of state government and it is also where the State Board of Education is located.
Columbia Public Schools (CPS) Superintendent Dr. Jeff Klein tells reporters that a charter school would introduce a duplicate system funded with dollars that would otherwise come to CPS:
“In communities where charter schools have opened, local public school districts are left with higher per-student costs, reduced efficiency and fewer resources to serve students,” Dr. Klein says.
Frontier hopes to open a charter school in Boone County in 2026, starting with pre-kindergarten to second grade.