The DeKalb County Board of Education voted Wednesday afternoon to accept the resignation of Superintendent Devon Horton, one week after federal authorities accused him of accepting thousands of dollars in kickbacks in his last job.
The resignation will be effective Nov. 15. Horton was placed on paid administrative leave last week, after the indictment was announced.
Board Chairwoman Deirdre Pierce said in a written statement after an emergency board meeting Wednesday this is in the district’s best interest.
“We recognize the seriousness of the situation and remain committed to transparency, accountability and maintaining public trust,” she said.
The board also authorized a forensic audit of the district’s contracts and purchasing card statements.
Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC
Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC
The indictment accused Horton of steering district contracts in the Evanston-Skokie School District 65 outside of Chicago to his longtime friends, then getting about $85,000 in kickbacks from the contracts between 2020 and 2023. Horton was the district’s superintendent during that time period. He was also accused of misusing his district-issued P-card and tax evasion.
The DeKalb school board met behind closed doors for more than six hours Wednesday. Only one board member, Tiffany Hogan, voted not to accept the resignation. Hogan was not on the board when Horton was hired in 2023.
Horton will be paid through Nov. 15, but will not receive any payments beyond that date, a spokesperson confirmed to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Per his contract, Horton is only owed severance pay if the board terminates his contract without cause; he only owes the district money if he breaches the contract.
This summer, the school board voted to extend Horton’s contract to 2028 and increase his base pay to $360,000. His previous annual salary was $325,000. The board also gave him a $35,000 retention bonus in November 2024.
The DeKalb school board appointed Norman C. Sauce III as acting superintendent after the indictment was made public.
“The board has full confidence in Dr. Sauce’s leadership during this transition,” Pierce said in a statement. “His experience, steady demeanor and strong relationships within the district will help ensure continuity and focus on what matters most, the continued success of our students and staff.”
In a statement last week, Horton’s attorney said the allegations in the indictment had nothing to do with his work in DeKalb County.
Horton’s arraignment was scheduled for Wednesday but was moved to Oct. 23.
The federal indictment filed last week in Illinois has caused ripples throughout Georgia.
The DeKalb delegation of the Georgia House of Representatives formed a special subcommittee to gather facts, review state laws and explore potential legislation to prevent similar situations in the future. The group wants to support the school board, said state Rep. Doreen Carter, D-Lithonia, who will chair the subcommittee.
“It’s not just DeKalb,” Carter said. “We gotta figure out, how do we hire and keep superintendents?”
Horton was DeKalb’s ninth superintendent since 2010.
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