Who should have a say in DeKalb School Board selection?

Governor Nathan Deal (R-Georgia) suspends 6 of 9 DeKalb County School Board members on February 25, 2013

ATLANTA -- In a matter of days, more than 400 applicants for the DeKalb County School Board will be narrowed down to 12 finalists.

The six-person nominating panel conducted 60 interviews over the weekend and into Monday. The panel will then compile a list of 60 people, six from each vacant district, for submission to Governor Nathan Deal, who will have the final say.

But at least one DeKalb lawmaker believes members of the county's legislative delegation should also have a say in who is selected.

Sen. Emanuel Jones (D-District 10) said it could be "a disaster" if the panel didn't seek input from the delegation.

"I think it's critically important that this panel get as much input from elected officials that represent those districts as they possibly can," he said. "This is as close to the voice of the people as they are going to get."

But other members of the delegation, including Rep. Tom Taylor (R-District 79), disagree.

"At the end of the day, the political influence needs to stay out of this right now, because that's what got us here," he said.

"As legislators, the governor has picked an independent panel to pick these folks and we need to let them do their job."

The panel is expected to submit a list of finalists to Gov. Deal this week.

More on DeKalb Schools:

403 people apply for six vacancies on DeKalb School Board
Federal court orders DeKalb case sent to Ga. Supreme Court
Ga. BOE recommends Gov. Deal suspend six members
DeKalb County School Board elects new leader