Local

More than 150 apply for DeKalb School Board positions

DECATUR, Ga. — More than 150 people want to become DeKalb County School Board members.

Channel 2's Erica Byfield confirmed the figure with Kenneth Mason, the chairman of the five-member nominating panel Gov. Nathan Deal commissioned.

"We have been overwhelmed by the number of nominations/applications," Mason said.

The nominating panel began accepting applications on Feb. 27. The submission deadline is Wednesday, March 6.

Deal recently announced his intention to uphold the State Board of Education's ruling to suspend and replace six DeKalb County School Board members.

Mason told Byfield there had been a steady flow of applications until the news broke on March 4 that a federal judge denied the DeKalb School Board's request to block their removal, and the number of people vying for the position greatly increased.

"People have asked me if I'm surprised by the number of applicants, and I'm not, because people are passionate about their children," Mason said.

So far, the people who are applying include parents, community activists and business leaders.

The nominating panel is expected to meet at noon on March 8 at the state Capitol to review the applications. The group is expected to work through the weekend.

Mason said the key criterion the panel will use in weighing potential candidates is where the potential board members live, to determine which seats they would be eligible to fill.

While the governor can name replacements for the board members, the six suspended board members are allowed to petition to keep their seats.