Columbia should stop fighting Boone County school choice
Judge Emily J. Fretwell rejected Columbia Public Schools’ challenge to SB 727, but the district says it will appeal as Frontier Charter prepares to open in 2027.
Boone County parents won a court fight for another public-school option on Oct. 29, 2026, when Cole County Circuit Court Judge Emily J. Fretwell ruled that the Boone County provision of SB 727 is constitutional and not an unconstitutional special law under Article III, Section 40 of the Missouri Constitution. Fretwell wrote, “The court only looks for any ‘plausible reason for the classification in question.’” She found several rational bases for the law, including Boone County’s population, achievement gaps in English and math, its high percentage of college-educated adults and the presence of the University of Missouri-Columbia. Fretwell also wrote, “Even if this classification is not ‘perfect,’ it is not arbitrary and unreasonable.”
Why should a school district fight to keep families from choosing another public school? Parents should decide whether an alternative fits their children; the district should earn their confidence rather than try to eliminate the alternative.
“Even if this classification is not ‘perfect,’ it is not arbitrary and unreasonable.”
Missouri opened Boone County to charters
Missouri’s 2024 Senate Bill 727 allowed charter schools in counties with between 150,000 and 200,000 inhabitants, ABC17 reported. Boone County alone met that description1.
Previously, charter schools were permitted in St. Louis and Kansas City school districts, districts that had lost state accreditation, and places where the local district sponsored one, the Missouri Independent reported2. Every Boone County public school board opposed the bill, according to KOMU3. School boards deserve a voice in legislation; they should not have a veto over parents’ options.
Achievement gaps helped justify new options
KOMU reported that Missouri education department data for 2024-25 showed 56.7% of Columbia Public Schools students scored basic or below basic in math. In English language arts, the figure was 53.4%3.
Columbia plans to appeal the ruling
District spokesperson Michelle Baumstark said, “The district intends to appeal this decision as we believe the constitutional questions raised by this legislation deserve further judicial review.”3 The district’s statement argued that charters “divide limited taxpayer dollars among competing systems” and weaken opportunities for students remaining in district schools1.
But charter schools are independently run public schools supported by public funds, as KXEO explains4. Children whose parents choose a charter still deserve a publicly funded education. Protecting the district’s enrollment should not outrank finding the right school for a child.
Columbia should compete for students
Frontier Charter School has approval to open in Boone County and plans to begin operating in Columbia in 2027, the Missouri Independent reported2. Job Point is also seeking approval to launch a charter school, according to KOMU3.
Columbia’s leaders should give parents reasons to stay: stronger instruction, clear answers about progress and schools responsive to their children’s needs. Parents should demand that work from their school board. Drop the appeal and compete for students.
Sources
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