Local News
Local News

DeKalb school board gets new leader

By Ty Tagami
Feb 20, 2013

It wasn’t unanimous, but the selection of a new school board chair in DeKalb was decided by a super majority of the historically fractious group.

Retired DeKalb school system administrator and newly-elected board member Melvin Johnson got the nod from his colleagues Wednesday in a 7-2 vote. Johnson’s candidacy was uncontested: Nancy Jester nominated Pam Speaks, but Speaks declined. They both voted against Johnson.

The decision puts a new generation of board members in the spotlight. The board recently selected Jim McMahan as vice chair. He, Johnson and Marshall Orson joined the nine-member body this year, after winning elections last year.

About the Author

Ty Tagami is a staff writer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Since joining the newspaper in 2002, he has written about everything from hurricanes to homelessness. He has deep experience covering local government and education, and can often be found under the Gold Dome when lawmakers meet or in a school somewhere in the state.

Follow Ty Tagami on facebookFollow Ty Tagami on twitter
More Stories

The Latest

In this 2021 photo, Glenn Hickey paints a stretch of bike lanes on Ferst Drive on the campus of Georgia Tech. (John Spink/AJC)

Credit: JOHN SPINK / AJC

Gridlock Guy: Exploring painting curved lanes and other speed-curbing ideas

13m ago

Strong storms head out of metro Atlanta

‘The Wire’ actor confirms son seriously hurt in Henry County EF2 tornado

Featured

Savannah Chrisley, daughter of former reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, speaks outside the Federal Prison Camp on May 28, 2025, in Pensacola, Fla. President Donald Trump pardoned Todd and Julie Chrisley, who were found guilty of defrauding banks out of $36 million and hiding millions in earnings to avoid paying taxes. (Dan Anderson/AP)

Credit: Dan Anderson/AP

Trump’s pardons may backfire, former federal prosecutors warn

The president's actions could erode faith in the justice system and deter federal investigators and prosecutors, Atlanta attorneys say.

A Georgia kid placed 3rd in national spelling bee. He hopes to return in 2026.

Georgia fifth grader Sarv Dharavane placed third in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, the youngest participant to make the final round.

South Georgia mayor among those arrested, indicted for election interference

Prosecutors say Owens and the 2 election officials improperly blocked voters from casting ballots in a special election. Polling places were locked the morning of the vote.