Georgia's governor has signed an order to suspend six of nine members of an Atlanta-area school board that oversees the state's third-largest school system.

The DeKalb County School Board was previously put on probation through the end of 2013 and risks losing accreditation. An audit of the school system found evidence of fiscal mismanagement and unethical practices.

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal announced the suspensions Monday although federal judge issued an order temporarily preventing him from replacing board members until after a hearing on Friday.

State education officials recommended suspensions for the board members after a roughly 14-hour meeting on Thursday.

Deal says he will appoint a nominating committee to find replacements for the ousted board members, although they will have 30 days to apply for reinstatement after the executive order is signed.