The Warren County school board on Tuesday held its first meeting since learning the school system would lose its accreditation.

Students, parents and other residents chastised the board and urged them to cooperate, saying the loss of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is embarrassing and threatens the ability of students to get HOPE scholarships. The action also could threaten Warren's status as a charter school system, the first in the state.

SACS plans to revoke the accreditation this summer, not because of classroom performance but because of issues with school board governance. The organization says board members have put personal agendas ahead of student performance. Board members, meanwhile, are drafting a response.

The loss of HOPE scholarships would be an especially hard blow to Warren County, where nearly a third of residents live in poverty.

Tags: Georgia, Augusta, Warren County, Warren County School System, Warrenton, Warren County schools, Georgia schools, Southeastern Association of Colleges and Schools, HOPE scholarships, Georgia HOPE scholarships