No ethics findings for Atlanta school board members

By Kristina Torres

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

An ethics panel voted unanimously Thursday to close its investigation of five Atlanta school board members. It made no findings of fault.

The investigation stemmed from complaints filed Nov. 4 by two Atlanta parents, who alleged the five -- new board Chairman Khaatim Sherrer El, Yolanda Johnson, Nancy Meister, Courtney English and Brenda Muhammad -- violated multiple board policies in their fight for control of the board. At the time, the five had just been sued by the board's other four members over a midyear change of leadership.

The two sides settled the suit last week. They still face challenges however, that include state and federal investigations into alleged city school test cheating, an accreditation review of the board's governance issues and the need to find a new superintendent by June 30, when current Superintendent Beverly Hall has announced she will step down.