Ga. House OK's school board ethics bill
The Georgia House has approved a bill that would allow Georgia's governor to oust misbehaving school board members.
The measure passed 137 to 33 on Monday.
It was prompted by troubles in the Clayton County school system which was stripped of accreditation in 2008.
Under the bill, the governor could remove school board members if the state board of education recommends removal. Schools must be poised to lose accreditation.
It also puts in place conflict of interest and nepotism guidelines for school board members and requires that they take ethics training.
The bill passed in the Senate last year but must return there because of changes made in the House. It was sponsored by Rep. Jim Cole, a floor leader for Gov. Sonny Perdue.
The 50,000-student Clayton County school district regained accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools last year after nine months without it.
