ATLANTA (AP) — A federal judge heard arguments in a legal battle over whether a Georgia law that allows the governor to remove local school boards is constitutional.

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal this week announced the suspension of six of nine of the DeKalb County school board members. The targeted board members have sued to challenge the 2011 law that allows him to take that action, saying they have a constitutional right to stay in office until voters say otherwise.

U.S. District Judge Richard Story said after a hearing Friday that he would consider both sides and issue an order as soon as possible. While his decision is pending, a temporary hold he placed on the case last week remains in effect.