A Hinds County judge ruled Tuesday that Mississippi’s charter schools are constitutional, handing an early win to charter school proponents in the first stage of what is expected to be a lengthy legal battle.

“As I have said from the beginning, this was a frivolous attempt by the Democrats and their allies to usurp the lawmaking authority of the Legislature and prohibit parents from having options when it comes to their child’s education,” Gov. Phil Bryant said in a statement. “I am pleased with the chancellor’s ruling.”

Challengers plan to appeal.

“This decision is disappointing, but it does not end our fight for Mississippi’s children,” said Will Bardwell, who represented a group of Jackson parents who filed the suit. “We plan to appeal this case to the Mississippi Supreme Court because the future of our schools depends on it.”

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