Atlanta school board members keep their jobs -- for now - WTVM.com-Columbus, GA News Weather & Sports

Atlanta's troubled school board members don't have to worry about Gov. Nathan Deal replacing them -- at least, not yet.

The Georgia Department of Education voted unanimously to delay its vote on whether to recommend that the governor remove Atlanta's school board members. 

The state board voted Tuesday morning on a consent order agreed to by both the state Department of Education and the Atlanta school board. The board voted to hold another hearing on the matter before Nov. 4. 

"It gives the board time to continue its growth and development," said Interim Superintendent Erroll Davis, who had urged the state board to hold off on a recommendation. 

Atlanta's new school board chairwoman Brenda Muhammad said she also is pleased with the state board's delay.

"We have so many things before us right now that we don't need to battle this," said Muhammad. "It's just the right decision." 

The state board made a similar decision Tuesday for the Coffee County school board.  

The hearings are part of a new state law that took effect July 1 permitting the governor to remove members of local school boards if their districts are in danger of losing accreditation. Both districts are on probation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Copyright 2011 WGCL-TV. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.