Gwinnett judge tosses suit on schools' campaigning

ATLANTA - A judge dismissed a lawsuit accusing Gwinnett County school authorities and the Georgia School Boards Association of illegally campaigning against the proposed constitutional amendment to affirm the state's power to create independent charter schools.

Superior Court Judge Dawson Jackson did not rule on the merits of the case on Thursday. Instead he cited procedural mishaps in the way the five plaintiffs filed the suit and supporting documents.

The plaintiffs in the Gwinnett case and a separate Fulton County case have accused Georgia school officials of violating laws and court precedents that generally restrict the use of public money for campaigns. The Fulton suit is pending, though an Atlanta judge has already refused a temporary injunction in that case.

Voters will decide the amendment on Nov. 6.