Gov. Nathan Deal says the suspensions of the final three former DeKalb County school board members who had petitioned for their reinstatement have been upheld.

Deal's office on Friday announced the decision by chief administrative law Judge Maxwell Woods. Woods determined that former board chairman Eugene Walker, as well as board members Donna Edler and Jay Cunningham, didn't prove that their presence on the board would help the school system keep or regain its accreditation.

The system was put on probation by an accreditation agency after a six-month investigation.

In a report, the accreditation agency cited long-term leadership issues including nepotism, fiscal mismanagement, inappropriate micromanagement and intimidation within the district.

Woods last month sustained the suspensions of Pam Speaks and Sarah Copelin-Woods.

Tags: suspensions, governor deal, DeKalb County school board