Restraining order in education board lawsuit to remain in place

A temporary restraining order against a new law stripping various powers from the State Board of Education will remain in place for the time being.

A Superior Court judge issued the order a week ago, and a hearing before a three-judge panel on a lengthier injunction against the law was set for Friday morning. But lawyers for the state have asked for more time in the case, and both sides agreed to leave the restraining order in place until the hearing can be rescheduled.

The State Board of Education filed suit last week to challenge House Bill 17, which gives new Republican Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson more flexibility in managing the state's education budget, more authority to dismiss senior level employees, control of the Office of Charter Schools and the ability to choose the leader of the new Achievement School District, which will oversee some of the lowest-performing schools in the state. Those powers had been under the board's control.