Panel meets to look at ways to strenghten school boards

ATLANTA - A group of education and business leaders are gathering to look at how to strengthen school boards across the state.

The task force, which meets for the first time Tuesday, was formed at the request of the Georgia Board of Education. The state was alarmed after the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools voted to strip Clayton County schools of accreditation starting Sept. 1 because of what a report called a "dysfunctional" and "fatally flawed" local school board.

The new task force will meet periodically over the next 90 days to make recommendations on training and other resources for school board members.