ATLANTA (AP) — A federal judge has asked the Georgia Supreme Court to consider the constitutionality of the 2011 law that gave Gov. Nathan Deal the authority to suspend six DeKalb County school board members.

Deal on Wednesday announced who will replace six suspended DeKalb County Board of Education members, expressing hope that the new members will help Georgia's third-largest public school system avoid losing its accreditation.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports (http://bit.ly/16vI9Eu) that U.S. District Court Judge Richard Story issued an order Thursday asking Georgia's high court to answer the question of whether the law allows the governor to take action.

Deal's appointees replace six members suspended last month after the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools detailed mismanagement and other governance problems involving the school board.

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