October 16, 2025
DeKalb County, which encompasses a lot of the Atlanta metropolitan space, is the third-largest college district in Georgia.
DeKalb County Faculty Superintendent Devon Horton resigned after Illinois authorities indicted him on fees of wire fraud, tax fraud, and embezzlement. Horton has led the Metro Atlanta college district since 2023.
The county’s college board voted to just accept Horton’s resignation throughout a particular assembly on Oct. 15. His resignation got here simply days after prosecutors accused him of accepting kickbacks from companies owned by private associates that had contracts with Evanston-Skokie Faculty District 65 and Chicago Public Colleges (CPS), the place he beforehand served as superintendent. Prosecutors allege that Horton did not disclose his monetary ties or involvement with these corporations.
The board confronted backlash when it initially positioned Horton on administrative go away with pay throughout an emergency board assembly on Oct. 9, the day after he was indicted. State Sen. Emanuel Jones demanded that the district terminate him instantly.
The board introduced that it unanimously accepted a forensic audit of district contracts and buying card expenditures.
“Given the current federal indictment involving Dr. Horton associated to his employment in a previous college district, the Board believes this motion is in the most effective curiosity of the DeKalb County Faculty District,” Board Chair Deirdre Pierce stated in a press release obtained by Decaturish.
“We acknowledge the seriousness of the state of affairs and stay dedicated to transparency, accountability, and sustaining public belief. Whereas there can be adjustments forward, please know that the Board stays absolutely dedicated to our ongoing work, together with key initiatives such because the Scholar Project Mission (SAP), and offering a high-quality training for all college students.”
The Board named Dr. Norman C. Sauce, who beforehand served because the district’s chief of Scholar Companies, as appearing superintendent.
An embezzlement cost may end up in as much as a 10-year jail sentence and a nice of $100,000 or twice the quantity stolen. The wire fraud cost carries a most penalty of 20 years in jail.
Horton’s arraignment is set for Oct. 23 at 11 a.m. within the Northern District of Illinois.
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