Georgia teachers group sues DeKalb schools over alleged contract violations

A professional association for teachers in Georgia filed a lawsuit in December against DeKalb County Schools over, what they say, is a breach of contract. 

The Georgia Association of Educators (GAE) filed a lawsuit in DeKalb County Superior Court on behalf of three members, according to a news release. 

The lawsuit claims that an email was sent to nearly 700 employees on May 2, 2025, informing them that they were no longer eligible for employment contracts. Georgia’s Quality Basic Education Act requires all certified professional personnel to receive annual written employment contracts.

“This is unprecedented and frightening,” said Mike McGonigle, GAE General Counsel and Legal Services Director, in the news release. “DeKalb has undermined the very purpose of the law, which is to avoid, in part, the ambiguity of ‘at-will’ employment.”

When asking for clarification on the change, the lawsuit claims the school district sent a “nonsensical Frequently Asked Questions” list and a YouTube video. The district also claimed that the jobs of the employees remained secure, according to the news release.

“Certified educators across the state have relied upon the consistency and certainty of this basic right for decades,” McGonigle said. “We are asking the court to treat GAE members with the respect and dignity they deserve by requiring DeKalb to issue written employment agreements.”

The lawsuit requests the district issue written employment agreements and pay reasonable attorney fees.