An entire school board in central Georgia is fired, kicking off search for new members 

The nominating committee announced Tuesday that it is accepting letters of intent and resumes from those interested in serving on the local school board. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Aug. 26. Usually, the school board members are elected.

Dublin is located in Laurens County in central Georgia. The school system serves about 2,300 students in five schools.

In April, Cognia, the private agency which accredits the district, downgraded Dublin City Schools from “accredited” to “accredited with conditions,” its lowest ranking and a step toward removing the district’s accreditation entirely.

The system’s financial difficulties reached a breaking point last August when it became clear that the district had not paid into the state health plan for over a year, but during an 11-hour hearing last week, Georgia Department of Education Chief Financial Officer Rusk Roam testified that the district’s financial woes started as early as 2009.

Amy Rowell, director of financial review at the state Department of Education, said an influx of federal funds during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed the district to show a positive balance of funds, but the district was still engaging in deficit spending during that time.

Roam testified that the district is the “worst financially managed school system” he had seen in his nearly 20-year career.

In October, the district adopted a deficit reduction plan that resulted in the surprise dismissal of dozens of employees.

“It’s heartbreaking,” said suspended Board Chair Amanda Smith. “You recruit people to your district because you love the school and you know how much it does for children and how much ability it does have and you have these wonderful programs and you’re looking at some of your best friends and saying ‘I’m sorry, and there’s nothing I can do about it.’”

Smith, who was elected chair early this year after serving on the board for two years, testified the current board, in contrast with previous boards, has made efforts to increase transparency as well as the district’s financial stability.

Kemp’s appointees will be tasked with proposing temporary nominations to replace her and the other board members following the governor’s suspensions.

Members are set to include State Board of Education member Matt Donaldson, who will serve as chairman and represents the congressional district in which the Dublin City Board of Education is located; former Dublin Mayor Phil Best; Edwin May, a member of the Dublin-Laurens County Economic Development Authority and Rep. Matt Hatchett and Senate President Pro Tempore Larry Walker, Republicans who represent Dublin in their respective chambers.

“This is an important moment for Dublin City Schools, and our focus must remain squarely on improving outcomes for students, families, educators and ultimately taxpayers who fund the school system,” Walker said.

The committee is accepting nominations by email at DublinCityNominatingCommittee@doe.k12.ga.us. Letters of intent should include the board district where the applicant resides and include their address.

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