Justice Department OKs ouster of El Paso School Board

The U.S. Justice Department has approved a state of Texas plan to remove El Paso Independent School District's school board members and replace them with an appointed board of managers. The El Paso Times reports that the ruling doesn't prevent the ousted board members from seeking an injunction, but they would not be able to use district resources for a legal challenge because they no longer have authority to approve such action. Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams has appointed five people to serve on the board of managers; they have received training and say they are ready to serve. The state acted in December to remove the elected school board, saying it had lost the public's trust by allowing corruption to flourish.