DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Dekalb County teachers are watching closely to see how the board of education responds to a recommendation from the state Superintendent, Richard Woods.
Woods is asking the DeKalb County Board of Education to pause its search for a new superintendent.
Channel 2 Action News has obtained a copy of a letter Woods sent to the school board on Friday in which he states the school district is at a “critical juncture.”
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Within the letter to the district, Woods recommended the board pause its plan to hire Dr. Devon Horton as superintendent and allow Interim Superintendent Dr. Vassane Tinsley to remain in her position.
“In her brief tenure as interim superintendent, Dr. Vasanne Tinsley has been responsive and has produced results for DeKalb County Schools. She’s worked hard to form a partnership with my office and repair relationships with the DeKalb County community,” the letter reads.
One teacher, Lillian Bittaye, said she applauds the letter.
“From talking to a number of teachers, it’s my understanding that she was on the track to be able to clean up this district,” said Bittaye.
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Woods’ letter ultimately asks the board to pause the selection process for a new superintendent and allow Dr. Tinsley to “get the district on solid footing.”
“Though the selection of a superintendent falls within your purview as the local board of education, I respectfully urge you to pause the selection process,” the letter read.
The district hosted three town hall meetings this week to hear public input on the finalist for superintendent.
Channel 2′s Tyisha Fernandes reported during Channel 2 Action News at 6 p.m. on Tuesday that Horton was 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 his Illinois school district.
Some in the crowd questioned his ability to handle a district of 94,000 students and 14,500 staff. His last district in Illinois had 7,000 students.
“In Louisville I was over 172 schools. So, I wanted to make sure parents understand as Chief of Schools, I’ve worked for very large organizations making decisions and guiding and building systems,” said Dr. Horton.
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DeKalb County Board of Education Chairman Diijon DaCosta Sr. responded to Woods’ letter with one of his own, thanking Woods for his support.
I hope this letter finds you well. Thank you for your concerns and partnership with the DeKalb County School District and Board of Education.
As the newly appointed Board Chair, I have seen our board work diligently to follow policies, processes, and protocols to achieve the best governance practices. We are committed to making informed decisions that prioritize the best interests of our scholars, teachers, staff, and community.
We also want to express our appreciation to our Interim Superintendent, Dr. Vasanne S. Tinsley, for her willingness to step in during this interim period.
We appreciate your support as we carry out our responsibilities and look forward to continuing our partnership to pursue excellence in education.
— Diijon DaCosta Sr.
This letter comes just days after the Board of Education announced they have a sole finalist for the superintendent position.
Dr. Horton, who would be the fourth superintendent in four years, is currently superintendent of a small school district outside of Chicago that has about 7,000 students. DeKalb currently has approximately 93,000 students.
It is unclear when Horton could officially take over the role or if Woods’ concerns will have bearing on the board’s decision.
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