All seven members of the Dublin City SchoolsBoard of Educationhave been suspended following months of scrutinyover the school system's finances and accreditation.
Gov. Brian Kemp signed an executive order Monday carrying out the suspension after the Georgia State Board of Education unanimously recommended the move.
The decision puts temporary leadership changes in place for the Dublin school system as it works to address the issues that led to state intervention.
Here's what led to the decision.
Why was the Dublin school board suspended?
The Georgia Department of Education announced in June that the State Board of Education would hold a hearing regarding the possible suspension of the Dublin City Board of Education.
The hearing centered on concerns involving the school system and its accreditation
status.
The State Board ultimately voted 10-0 to recommend suspending the board's members, according to the state's process.
Kemp later signed the executive order making the suspensions official.
What happened to the school district?
Dublin City Schools has been dealing with significant financial problems that led to cost-cutting measures and state involvement.
The district has eliminated staff positions and shortened its school calendar as it works to reduce expenses.
The financial situation also became tied to concerns about the district's accreditation, putting additional pressure on school system leadership.
The state intervention does not mean Dublin City Schools has been shut down. The issue involves the governance of the school system and the board overseeing it.
Who will replace the suspended board members?
Kemp's executive order calls for a committee to recommend temporary replacements for the seven suspended members.
The committee will be chaired by Georgia State Board of Education member Matt Donaldson.
The other members are Rep. Matt Hatchett, Sen. Larry Walker, former Dublin Mayor Phil Best and community member Edwin May.
The temporary appointments are intended to provide new leadership while the school system works through the issues that prompted the state action.
What happens to the suspended board members?
The suspensions do not automatically mean the seven members are permanently removed from office.
Georgia law allows a suspended local school board member to petition the governor for reinstatement beginning 30 days after the suspension and no later than 60 days after the suspension.
If a member does not petition within that window, the suspension converts to a permanent removal under the law.
If a petition is filed, the governor or a designated representative can hold a hearing to consider whether the member's continued service would be more likely than not to help the school system regain or retain accreditation, among other statutory criteria.
For now, the state's action means all seven seats on the Dublin City Schools Board of Education are subject to temporary replacement as the district works through its financial and accreditation challenges.
Vanessa Johns is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia, covering food and entertainment. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Why all 7 members of this Georgia school board were suspended by Kemp
