DeKalb County schools board accepts Horton’s resignation, launches forensic audit

Key Points Norman Sauce was communicated as the acting DCSD superintendent on Oct Horton will remain on paid leave until his resignation is official An audit will examine Horton s purchasing statements over his tenure Devon Horton has resigned effective Nov from DCSD website Devon Q Horton federally indicted on fraud charges last week has resigned as superintendent of the DeKalb County School District according to DCSD leaders The DeKalb County Board of Development voted to accept Horton s resignation in closed executive session held Oct He will continue on paid leave until Nov according to Carla Parker DeKalb County Schools spokeswoman This agreement replaces the due process hearing under state law according to a DeKalb County School announcement The board has authorized a forensic audit of district contracts and purchasing card p-card statements to ensure full transparency and accountability On Oct Horton was indicted on charges by the U S Attorney for acts he allegedly committed while serving as the superintendent of Evanston-Skokie School District in Illinois Between and the -page indictment which was obtained by the Evanston Roundtable alleges that Horton accepted and approved contracts with business partners that he would financially benefit from to the tune of more than in kickbacks Given the modern federal indictment involving Dr Horton related to his employment in a prior school district the board believes this action is in the best interest of the DeKalb County School District announced Deidre Pierce school board chair We recognize the seriousness of the situation and remain committed to transparency accountability and maintaining masses trust Hours after the indictment charges were released the DCSD board placed Horton on leave and appointed Dr Norman Sauce the chief of scholar services as the acting superintendent The board has full confidence in Dr Sauce s leadership during this transition Pierce noted in a comment Wednesday His experience steady demeanor and strong relationships within the district will help ensure continuity and focus on what matters preponderance the continued success of our students and staff After the indictment Sauce in a video issued on Friday appealed to parents and locality members to stay focused on the school system s mission noting that schools are operating as normal Related story U S Attorney issues -count indictment alleging DeKalb Superintendent committed fraudulent acts in former job Even in times of challenge or change our commitment to our students and our mission remains steady Sauce stated When we say I stand with DCSD we re not just sharing words we re showing our unity through action compassion and collaboration So in the current era I invite you to stand with us More on Sauce Sauce who is a husband and father of twin boys also served as principal of Chamblee High School within DCSD and as an elementary principal within Fulton County Schools He previously taught social studies and was an assistant principal in Southern California before moving to Georgia in He earned his clinician of guidance degree from the University of Southern California his master of instruction degree from the University of California Los Angeles and his bachelor of arts degree in history from California State University Long Beach The post DeKalb County schools board accepts Horton s resignation launches forensic audit appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta