SACS removes DeKalb Board of Education from probation

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools has removed the DeKalb County Board of Education from probation.

DeKalb was placed on probation in December 2012, and has now been moved to “accredited warned” status within the system. Deal took the necessary steps to save the system’s accreditation and, by extension, the value of its students’ degrees by replacing six members of the school board. SACS will continue to monitor the system until May, when it returns for another review.

“Today’s announcement is excellent news for the students in DeKalb schools who ran the risk of owning tarnished degrees and for homeowners whose property values would have fallen precipitously,” Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal said in a statement. “In early 2013, we faced a crisis in DeKalb. Working together with many local leaders who had the courage to step forward, we put aside short-term politics for a long-term solution that is paying dividends today.”

Deal on Feb. 15, 2013, said he would use his authority to remove six members of the DeKalb school board, which faced possible loss of accreditation.