DeKalb County Calls For School Board Investigation Following Superintendent Indictment

In DeKalb County, Georgia, calls are mounting for a full investigation into the school board following the federal indictment of Superintendent Devon Horton, especially after the board extended his contract and gave him a raise despite warnings of a federal probe. State Senator Emmanuel Jones urges Governor Brian Kemp to intervene, referencing a precedent where a previous governor removed nearly the entire school board due to fiscal mismanagement. Meanwhile, in Alabama, Birmingham City Schools' Superintendent Dr. Mark Sullivan received a solid performance evaluation, scoring 3.3 out of 4, with board members praising progress in student achievement and overall school system health. Sullivan, a long-time educator in the district, emphasized continued focus on academic improvement and reducing absenteeism. Separately, the Gadsden Independent School District board is preparing to discuss the resignation of Superintendent Travis Dempsey, who plans to retire at the start of 2026 amid district challenges like declining enrollment and budget issues. The Birmingham Board of Education also scheduled a special meeting to address Sullivan's evaluation and contract, reflecting ongoing oversight and governance in local school leadership.