The powerful Rules Committee of the Georgia House voted Thursday to send to the full House a bill granting Gov. Nathan Deal the power to remove all members of the troubled Atlanta School Board.
Another last-minute add to the bill would cut the size of the DeKalb County school board from nine to seven members, over objections from the school board.
Senate Bill 79, dubbed a "Christmas tree" bill because of these two last-minute additions, moved out of the Rules Committee despite some members claims that it ignores the fundamental principal of local control.
It's not clear whether it will reach the floor Friday or during a rare Saturday session, which could take place due to continued debate over a major tax reform bill.
Late Tuesday, a bipartisan amendment was tacked on to SB 79 that would expand a state law passed last year allowing the governor to oust members of local school boards. The current law only applies to school board members elected after July 1, 2010, the date the law went into effect.
The Atlanta school district has until September to clean up its act or face sanctions from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Rep. Kathy Ashe, D-Atlanta, says the amendment was meant to provide students and families a "safety net" if the school board can't change enough to preserve accreditation.
"
About the Author
