House moves to block use of public funds for school board lawsuits

The state House on Tuesday voted to prevent school boards facing ouster over accreditation challenges from using tax dollars to fund their legal challenge.

The House voted 122-45 on House Bill 115, which now goes to Gov. Nathan Deal’s desk. The bill originally dealt only with meetings of the State Board of Education but was amended in the Senate to include the ban on public funds for legal fees.

That language originated in another House bill, itself a reaction to efforts by former DeKalb County school board members to fight their removal.