Federal Judge Denies Motion by DeKalb School Board Members

U.S. District Judge Richard Story ruled against members of the DeKalb County Board of Education on Monday afternoon, according to Channel 2 Action News.

The six suspended members, Sarah Wood, Jay Cunningham, Nancy Jester, Eugene Walker, Pamela Speaks and Donna Edler, had filed a motion, heard Friday, arguing that Governor Nathan Deal's suspension was unconstitutional.

The judge's ruling allows Deal to proceed with finding new board members.

Deal announced last week that he signed an executive order that accepts the State Board of Education's recommendation that six DeKalb school board members be removed.

Deal has also appointed a nominating committee to recommend new members of the school board.

After a 14-plus-hour meeting, the State Board of Education voted to recommend that Deal remove six members of the DeKalb school board.

However, the school board filed an emergency motion in federal court, hoping to stop the governor from taking any action.

A federal judge then issued a restraining order that prevented the suspension of the members until a hearing that was held this past Friday.

See Also:

Judge Grants Restraining Order Against Suspension of DeKalb School Board

School Board Files Emergency Motion Motion to Stop Possible Suspension

Replay Patch's Live Coverage of the State Board of Education Hearing With the DeKalb School Board