DeKalb County School Board members are scheduled to go before the state Board of Education on Thursday (Jan.17) at 1 p.m. to defend keeping their positions.

The school board members will give brief introductions and will make a presentation on why they should be allowed to keep their seats on the board.

An attorney for the board is expected at the meeting.

The school system was placed on probation in December after a scathing report issued by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The accrediting agency cited the school district with ineffective government, decline in student performance and potentially millions in missing money. SACS said the school board has been ineffective for more than a decade.

Under a Georgia law enacted in 2011, the state School Board can recommend to Gov. Deal to suspend the local school board members if a district is placed on probation.

The public may attend the hearing.

The Georgia Department of Education is located at 190 Jesse Hill Drive S.E., Atlanta.