The Georgia Board of Education has voted to recommend Gov. Nathan Deal suspend six of nine DeKalb County School Board members.

School board members appeared for a lengthy hearing Thursday. During the roughly 14-hour meeting, Jennifer Hackemeyer — an attorney for the Georgia Board of Education — recommended officials suspend six members. Hackemeyer didn't recommend suspending three newer board members who were hired after problems within the district began surfacing.

An audit of the school system found evidence of fiscal mismanagement and unethical practices. In a report, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools officials said despite attempts, costs and resources used to change the board's culture, the effort appears to have been a waste.

The school system was put on probation through the end of 2013 and risks losing accreditation.

Tags: Georgia Board of Education, DeKalb County schools, school board removal, DeKalb County school board