Governor "Wheel and Deal" Will Announce New Board Members Tomorrow

Nathan Deal.  Photo credit:  WSB-TV

After weeks of trying to work out a deal, but being unable to convince Dr. Eugene Walker to go along with it, the Governor was forced to move ahead with his plans to remove six of the nine DeKalb board members.  The three who remained were part of their respective communities recent upheaval of 3 of 4 board members that stood for re-election this past July.  If the residents are not happy with the performance of any of the nine, the next election is right around the corner:  July 2014.  It seems odd, but is part of a lawmaking frenzy that took place last year as concerns about the failing schools and disappearing reserve funds spread throughout the county.  It seems that we may finally have a new start, but with only a little time to actually get a plan in place and approved before big, bad SACS returns in May to let us know how we're doing.  If SACS is not impressed, the county is looking at a total loss of accreditation by year-end.  

But, let's remain optimistic for now.  Tomorrow at 11 a.m. we should hear the news about who the newly appointed and hopefully superior performing board members shall be.  Nothing has leaked out so far as to the names of those selected.  And, as much as we would love to know ahead of the announcement, we're actually very, very encouraged that so far the professionalism of this process has remained in tact. 

Let's hope these choice stick.  We could use some stability along with some sanity, don't you agree?

Read on for the official word (from WSB-TV's report)...


As reported on WSB-TV's website by Erica Byfield

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The public will soon learn the names of the six people who will become DeKalb County School Board members.

Gov. Nathan Deal plans to make the announcement in his office on Wednesday at 11 a.m.

"I think everybody will be encouraged when they see the qualifications the individuals that have been interviewed bring to the table," Deal said.

Channel 2's Erica Byfield met the governor after he addressed hundreds of Georgians who came to the Capitol for the state's Agriculture Day.

Channel 2 Action New has learned the nomination panel the governor commissioned interviewed 63 people in three days to fill the slots on DeKalb County's school board. The replacements come after the suspension of six board members accused of mismangement among other allegations.  Deal said he wants the new members to get to work immediately.

"This is not a show-me proposition, this is a get to work, do the important things that we need to do to fully restore accreditation.  So that the deserving young people in this school system will not be in any way affected by the consequences of adults' actions," he said.

Read more here.