Five Georgia school districts are hoping to regain full accreditation before a deadline that could trigger state hearings. Board members in districts that don’t receive full accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) by July 1st could be stripped of their posts.

SACS is currently reviewing the probations of Randolph, Warren, Coffee and Appling Counties. Those districts are hoping the agency will grant them full accreditation again before the deadline.

Appling County Superintendent Scarlett Copeland is preparing for a visit from the SACS review team early next week. She’s part of a new leadership team in the district, and she says that the board has three new members and has increased its transparency.

"We’re all very optimistic -- very very optimistic might be a better way to say it -- on moving up, moving off probation for SACS," Copeland says. "So we’re actually looking forward to the visit."

In Atlanta, School Board Chairman Khaatim Sherrer El has pledged to resign to help the school district regain the full seal of approval. A Fulton County judge must approve the resignation before El formally leaves his post.

Tags: Appling County, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools