The governor on Thursday released the names of the 403 candidates for DeKalb’s six school board vacancies, and the list includes the woman who headed up the state test-cheating investigation.
The six-member panel has been asked to recommend at least 12 potential nominees — two for each of the six school board seats — to Gov. Nathan Deal.
MORE: See the full list of applicants | Former state officials on list
Deal has not given the panel a specific deadline, but said Thursday he understands the need for quick action so a new reconstituted board “can get to work putting the school system back on the right track.”
Earlier this week, a federal court judge cleared the way for Deal to suspend six DeKalb school board members for mismanagement and other issues that have put in jeopardy the school system’s accreditation.
The panel will have a wide range of candidates, including several well-known ones to consider. They include Kathleen Mathers, who led the state test-cheating investigation that focused on the Atlanta and Dougherty County school systems.
Also tossing their hats into the ring are former state Sen. Dan Weber of Dunwoody, former state School Superintendent Werner Rogers and former state House member Doug Teper.
Ousted school board member Donna Edler’s name also appeared on the list of candidates. But in a telephone interview Thursday afternoon, Edler denied submitting her name for consideration.
She said she plans to seek reinstatement but through another process. Candidates were solicted by email.
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