School Board Files Emergency Motion to Stop Possible Suspension
The move was made late Friday afternoon, in hopes of stopping Gov. Deal from suspending any school board members.
Gov. Nathan Deal's office announced on Friday that he, along with members of the DeKalb legislative delegation, will hold an 11 a.m. news conference Monday to respond to the state Board of Education decision.
The state board recommended to the governor that he remove six members of the DeKalb school board.
However, in a legal move late Friday afternoon, the school board filed an emergency motion in federal court, hoping to stop the governor from taking any action.
According to Channel 2 Action News, the emergency motion was filed just before the close of business on Friday.
“I have closely followed the situation in DeKalb County schools since their accreditation was put at risk, and I paid special attention to the state Board of Education’s deliberations on Thursday,” Deal said in a statement.
The board voted unanimously to recommend that Sarah Copelin-Wood, Donna Edler, Eugene Walker, Jay Cunningham, Nancy Jester and Pamela Speaks be removed from the DeKalb school board.
If Gov. Deal follows the board's recommendation, Jim McMahan, Marshall Orson and Melvin Johnson would remain on the board as newly elected members.
Orson's district includes some of Brookhaven's and Chamblee's schools.
“I will continue to look at the details of this case over the weekend, and I will report my decision to Georgians on Monday. Removing elected officials from office is a serious duty, not undertaken lightly. That responsibility, however, pales in comparison to the importance of assuring the credibility of students’ education. I will do everything in my power to prevent the loss of accreditation of the DeKalb school system and the devastating impact it would have on students and economic development in one of the state’s largest counties.”
See Also:
Replay Patch's Live Coverage of the State Board of Education Hearing With the DeKalb School Board
Tracy White
10:41 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013
Keep Nancy & Pam, dump the other four, who are the problems. How can they possibly spin this to their constituents?
Sally
6:54 am on Saturday, February 23, 2013
LOSERS! That's the best thing I can say about them.
Lucas Roberts
6:58 am on Saturday, February 23, 2013
This is so embarrassing for our county, and is beyond dysfunctional behavior. Gov. Deal needs to stand up and make a real move here.
This board and county have fundamental problems in its leadership and vision.
And people wonder why they are trying to distance themselves from DeKalb?
dianne joy
7:27 am on Saturday, February 23, 2013
They have filed two law suits--one in Federal Courts. Is there NO ONE that can stop this madness? The Federal suit has Dr. Walker's name on it along with the BOE as plaintiffs. This squandering of yet more money and resources may be the deciding factor for Gov. Deal to oust this crowd. Total insanity!!!
Joan Lloyd
11:57 am on Saturday, February 23, 2013
Madness. Teachers cannot get a raise, but these reckless members continue to squander the children's monies. GOVERNOR, time to stand up now. GET RID OF THEM. TOO MUCH OF THE SAME OLD RUBBISH. When is WONDERFUL Dekalb going to get a break? Can't we lead ourselves? who will we now blame?
Harry
2:40 pm on Saturday, February 23, 2013
Are we expected to pay for their bogus lawsuits with our tax dollars as well the money we already flushed on their salaries?
Ms.
5:52 pm on Saturday, February 23, 2013
Will Deal have the guts to do this? He's been pretty silent on this chaos for the past few years, even when it has been painfully obvious to everyone else something needed to be done.
Cee Gee
7:37 pm on Saturday, February 23, 2013
I'm pretty sure the BOE would NOT pay for legal representation for any DCSS employee accused of wrongdoings and then wanted to sue to stop the BOE from suspending or discontinuing their employment. That's why teachers pay for their own, I repeat, pay for their own liability insurance or carry the full personal cost. Why are the Board Members allowed to behave as if they are above the Law. It's time for the strong hand of the law to step in.