A state administrative judge refused today to allow Clayton County school attorneys to call another 51 witnesses to testify about the school board’s behavior.

“That won’t happen,” Judge Michael Malihi said this afternoon. “We will finish this hearing today.”

Clayton County schools headlines:

• Photos: Timeline of Clayton schools' woes

• AJC editorial: Less hope

• Student exodus costs Clayton schools $27M 
• Students: School dress policy 'not cute' 
• Uniform dress policy in all Clayton schools 
• Board member says colleagues broke the law 
• Clayton runoff will fill 2 school board seats 

Read the full report to SACS:
• Part 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 (Large PDFs)

• Read SACS' report (PDF)

• Photos: Non-meeting | Angry parents | 400 protest
• Clayton County news

Malihi, of the Office of State Administrative Hearings, is hearing testimony for the fourth day in a complaint to remove Clayton school board members Michelle Strong, Sandra Scott, Lois Baines-Hunter and Yolanda Everett.

Five residents asked Gov. Sonny Perdue to remove the board members, alleging they violated the state ethics code and Open Meetings Act and put the school system’s accreditation at risk.

Malihi will determine if the board members violated any laws and make a recommendation to Perdue, who can remove the board members.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools will decide by Sept. 1 if the district will remain accredited.

The school board members have admitted some mistakes, but say they did not violate any laws.

Board attorney Julie Lewis argued that much of the allegations concern incidents that occurred months ago by members no longer on the board. Lewis said she wanted the 51 witnesses to share their opinions of the board now.

Malihi has already heard more than 36 hours of testimony. This morning, Malihi denied a motion to throw out the case.