Gov. Deal suspends DeKalb school board members

The Associated Press

02-25-2013

ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal says he will sign an executive order to suspend six of nine DeKalb County School Board members.

Deal made the announcement Monday although federal judge issued an order temporarily preventing him from replacing board members until after a hearing on Friday.

State education officials recommended suspensions for the board members after a roughly 14-hour meeting on Thursday.

Deal says he will appoint a nominating committee to find replacements for the ousted board members, although they will have 30 days to apply for reinstatement after the executive order is signed.

The DeKalb school system was put on probation through the end of 2013 and risks losing accreditation. An audit of the school system found evidence of fiscal mismanagement and unethical practices.