On May 21, during the General Primary elections, voters in the metro Atlanta area will choose representation for various elected seats, including school board seats. As is customary for us as an independent news organization, we have approached every candidate who qualified to run with a series of questions for them to answer for the […]
Category: Dekalb County Schools
Posted inDekalb County Schools
Dekalb County Schools Superintendent contract extended for two years
Following an executive session at their board retreat today, the Dekalb County Board of Education unanimously approved a two-year extension for Superintendent Dr. Devon Q. Horton. The board retreat themed, “Standing on Business”, focused on student assignment, ESPLOST, Budget, Human Resources and an orientation for new BOE representatives. During the retreat, Mr. DaCosta noted that […]
Posted inDekalb County Schools
Superintendent Horton highlights “being disruptive for excellence” in Dekalb County Schools State of the District
“What are you doing for others?” was the question from the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that Dekalb County Schools (DCSD) Superintendent Dr. Devon Horton highlighted at this year’s DCSD State of the District. Last Thursday, the District held its State of the District which was streamed on Facebook Live. After Horton’s daughter Zoey […]
Posted inDekalb County Schools
Dekalb County Schools extends spring break for one day for solar eclipse, some parents are not happy
If you are a student in Dekalb County Schools your spring break was just extended for one day to enjoy the solar eclipse happening in April but some families are not happy. In a communication with families yesterday, Dekalb County Schools announced that on April 8, students will have an independent learner day to witness […]
Posted inAnti Racism
Local historians call out “whitewashing of Black History” in school curriculums
When Dr. Shana Hunt graduated from high school and attended Paine College in Agusta Georgia, she thought she was “pretty together” with her blackness and understanding of Black history. However, learning about all the historical achievements of Black people she didn’t know blew her mind. She didn’t know about the detailed works of Zora Neale […]
Posted inDekalb County Schools
Dekalb County Schools set to audit outside athletic facilities
At the September 11 work session, Dekalb County Schools approved an item to order an audit of all high school athletic facilities. This approval comes after the Board approved CDH Partners as responsible for the audit and allowed $136,500. The scope of the work for the Audit is to evaluate the district high schools and […]
Posted inDekalb County Schools
Dekalb County Schools approves new superintendent’s contract
STONE MOUNTAIN-In a special called meeting this week, the Dekalb County School Board approved a contract for their new Superintendent, Dr. Devon Horton, by a vote of 6-1 vote. Dr. Horton comes to Dekalb County Schools from the Evanston/Skokie School District 65 in Illinois, where he served as superintendent, and previously he was the chief […]
Posted inDekalb County Schools
Dekalb County Schools offer new hire incentives for teachers and staff
Dekalb County Schools Board of Education announced a new initiative aimed at hiring teachers in hard to fill hard to staff positions that include areas: math, science, special education, bus drivers, and school resource officers. These compensation increases come after the Dekalb Board of Education tentatively approved the 2023-2024 budget that focused on including a […]
Posted inDekalb County Schools
Former Dekalb County Superintendent to lead Achieve Atlanta
On Thursday, Achieve Atlanta announced their new incoming President/Executive Director, Dr. Cheryl Watson-Harris. Achieve Atlanta is a nonprofit that awards need-based scholarships to Atlanta Public Schools students who pursue various post-secondary paths after high school. Watson-Harris, the former Superintendent of Dekalb County Schools, was fired from the board in April 2022 after a controversy that […]
Posted inDekalb County Schools
Dekalb County Schools’ sole superintendent finalist answers questions and critiques at town hall
By: Christina Norris Last Tuesday, The Dekalb County School Board announced three town halls for parents, students, and stakeholders to get to know Dr. Devon Horton, the sole finalist for its superintendent role. The Board held the town halls at Chamblee High School, Dr. Ronald E. McNair Middle School, and the Administrative & Instructional Complex. […]
Posted inDekalb County Schools
Dekalb County School District names sole finalist for the top job
This afternoon. Dekalb County Schools announced their sole finalist for the superintendent role, Dr. Devon Horton- the current Superintendent of Evanston/Stokie School District 65- north of Chicago. Horton was hired by District 65 as Superintendent in June 2020 with a contract extension from 2022 through 2026. A native of Chicago, Horton has worked previously as […]
Posted inDekalb County Schools
Dekalb County Schools approves $8 million dollars for enhanced security measures
Dekalb County Schools approved $8,000,000 + for the Evolv Weapons Detection system for forty middle and high schools throughout the county. This comes after an uptick of weapons confiscated in the district this year. According to Dekalb County Schools, as of February 2, 2023, a total of 16 handguns, 38 knives, and 13 other weapons for […]
Posted inDekalb County Schools
Dekalb County Schools sets aside $700 million for capital projects improvements
In a special called meeting on February 1, Dekalb County Board of Education announced plans to spend over $700 million in tax-funded E-SPLOST funds for facilities renovations and upgrades to a variety of school sites. Dekalb votes approved the E-SPLOST VI on November 2, 2021, with an overall 80% approval rating. The funds allow the […]
Posted inDekalb County Schools
Dekalb County Schools given next steps by accreditation group
The Dekalb County School board still has work to do to be a functioning governing agency for the students in the district. In a Monitoring Review Report released on Friday, January 20, by the non-profit Cognia, Dekalb County Schools was given specific recommendations to address findings related to Board Governance after meeting with key district […]
Posted inDekalb County Schools
Dekalb County schools board announced $41 million worth of bonuses for staff
The Dekalb County Board of Education approved a program to increase employee salaries at their most recent board meeting on January 9th. Human Resources Administrator Tekshia Ward-Smith proposed the “recruiting and retention incentive program,” a plan to reduce the number of resignations and attract new employees. “This is our attempt to not only show our […]
Posted inDekalb County Schools
Dekalb County School District launches national search for superintendent
Dekalb County Schools has announced that they have partnered with the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) to launch a national search for its next Superintendent of Schools. The current interim superintendent, Dr. Vasanne Tinsley, took over when the Board of Education fired Cheryl Watson-Harris on Apr. 26th. As a part of this process, GSBA will […]
Posted inFulton County Schools
Fulton County Schools and Dekalb County Schools announce a virtual start to the second semester
On Friday, both Dekalb County Schools and Fulton County Schools announced their plans to start the second semester virtually. This comes after both Clayton and Rockdale County made the same decision on Thursday. In a communication to parents, Fulton County made the announcement based on the December 30, Fulton County Board of Health Epidemiology Report […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
An increase in COVID cases has metro Atlanta districts adjusting their plans
Atlanta- The surge in COVID cases has metro Atlanta schools adjusting their plans for students and staff for a return to school after the holiday break. Here are the changes that are known to date.
Posted inDekalb County Schools
Dekalb County Schools partners with Amazon to fund computer science education
Stone Mountain- Today, Amazon and DeKalb County School District (DCSD) today announced that Amazon is funding computer science education and teacher professional development for 30 elementary schools in the district, impacting more than 10,000 students from underserved communities and groups currently underrepresented in tech as part of its Amazon Future Engineer program. DeKalb County School […]
Posted inDekalb County Schools, Uncategorized
Dekalb County Schools had multiple bus drivers out, canceling routes
After over 50+ bus drivers called out on Friday morning and routes canceled, dozens of Dekalb County Schools parents were forced to pick up their children from school. The cause was there were not enough bus drivers who showed up for work. Dekalb is among the other metro Atlanta school districts who are finding bus […]
Posted inDekalb County Schools
Dekalb County Schools to Close Until September 13
On Thursday, DeKalb County School District announced that an elementary school is closing temporarily after a group of students tested positive for the coronavirus. “We feel this is the best decision for this school community at this time.” Superintendent Cheryl Watson-Harris said at a news conference this afternoon. In the statement, the district said 18 students at […]
Posted inDekalb County Schools
Dekalb County Schools to Host Back-To-School Drive-Thru Event
DeKalb County Schools (DCSD) announced on Twitter Wednesday, that the district will host a Back-To-School Drive-Thru event at three different locations on July 31, from 11 a.m. to 2 pm. “DCSD will host its Back-To-School Drive-Thru event on July 31, 2021, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at three locations: Buck Godfrey Stadium in Decatur, […]
Posted inDekalb County Schools
Dekalb County Schools to Require Masks for Upcoming School Year
The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) announced their updated safety protocols in a Twitter post-Wednesday, that will require masks for students and staff during the upcoming school year. The post had a link to the district’s updated safety protocols, which can be found here. Upon clicking the link, you will see a two-page document that […]
Posted inDekalb County Schools
Dekalb County School District proposes property tax increase
The Dekalb County Board of Education proposed an increase in property taxes in a statement Tuesday. The increase will levy by 8.06 percentage points and will result in a millage rate of 23.08 mills — a 1.721 increase, according to the statement. The Board of Tax Assessors is required by Georgia law to review the […]