A Georgia state senator is calling for DeKalb County’s school superintendent to be removed from his job after federal prosecutors charged him with fraud and embezzlement.
What It Means For You: If you have children in DeKalb County schools, the person in charge of running the district is accused of stealing public money meant for education and giving contracts to friends in exchange for cash. The charges are from his time as superintendent in Illinois.
What’s Happening: Sen. Emanuel Jones says Superintendent Dr. Devon Horton should be fired immediately. Federal prosecutors say Horton directed school contracts to people he knew personally and took tens of thousands of dollars in kickbacks. He also faces charges of wire fraud and tax evasion.
“This is not a misunderstanding or administrative error. The indictment details how Dr. Horton allegedly schemed to steer public contracts to his personal associates and received tens of thousands of dollars in kickbacks. It is a breach of public trust and a disservice to the students, educators and families of DeKalb County,” Jones said.
Between the Lines: The school board recently gave Horton a contract extension and a raise. Jones says some board members may have known about the federal investigation before they voted to give him more money. He wants those board members held accountable too.
Catch Up Quick: Georgia’s governor has the power to remove school superintendents who are under indictment. Jones is asking Governor Brian Kemp to step in if the school board doesn’t act. In 2013, then-Governor Nathan Deal took control of DeKalb schools during a different crisis to protect the district’s accreditation.
The Big Picture: The DeKalb County School District serves more than 90,000 students. When school leaders face criminal charges, it puts the district’s reputation and accreditation at risk. Jones, who used to lead the DeKalb legislative delegation, says the district needs leadership focused on students, not personal gain.
The Sources: Statement from Sen. Emanuel Jones, October 10, 2025
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
