Finalist selected in year-long search for DeKalb superintendent, some not pleased with the choice

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — After a year-long search, the DeKalb School Board has chosen a finalist for superintendent.

But not everyone likes their choice.

Some say Dr. Devon Horton lacks the experience to lead a district this size.

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Horton would be the fourth superintendent in just the last four years.

One board member told Channel 2′s Tyisha Fernandes this choice is a huge mistake.

Deborah Jones, the president of the Organization for DeKalb Educators, isn’t the only person who believes the interim superintendent, Dr. Vasanne Tinsley, should get the job.

“I just cannot imagine that they would pick somebody like they have when they have somebody like Dr. Tinsley here already,” Jones said.

School board member Dr. Joyce Morely also told Channel 2′s Tyisha Fernandes that Tinsley is the right candidate.

“DeKalb was going down, we were going down to the bottom of the ocean very quickly. She came in and she guided the ship that is DeKalb,” Moreley said. “I don’t think anyone else could’ve done a better job than she did at this particular time.”

Still, the board passed on Tinley and a majority voted to hire Dr. Horton, who is currently superintendent of a small school district outside of Chicago that has about 7,000 students - compared to DeKalb’s 93,000 students.

He’s also named in a federal lawsuit filed in 2021 that accuses him of violating the Civil Rights Act by treating white and Asian students differently than Black and brown students in that Illinois school district.

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“Is he bringing that here? Will we have to pay that lawsuit out?” Jones asked. “We can do better and even if it’s not Dr. Tinsley, we can do better.”

The board has been on a superintendent search for a year after they abruptly fired Dr. Cheryl Watson-Harris in April of 2022.

DeKalb has had 3 superintendents in the last four years.

Jones believes Dr. Horton won’t last either.

“He wasn’t in the top 5. Why did we get him?” Jones asked.

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Morley said she’s going to be honest with the people of DeKalb County.

She said the board will regret this decision that taxpayers will ultimately pay for.

But the board members who voted to hire this finalist say he’s qualified for the job.

If you want to weigh in on this choice for superintendent, there will be a town hall meeting Wednesday, April 12 at Chamblee High School starting at 6 p.m., another at McNair Middle School on Thursday, April 13 and he’ll be at district headquarters from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 14. Participants in the town halls can ask Dr. Horton any questions they wish.

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