DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The Dekalb County School Board is set to vote Wednesday morning on who will be the next superintendent, potentially the fourth in just four years.

The public, once again, gave their input Monday night.

Many speakers focused on the need for the board to get this decision right.

After the changes over the past several years, some are lacking confidence in the board.

“The reality is they’ve struggled with this decision of the superintendent,” said Dekalb NAACP President Lance Hammonds.

Devon Horton, who currently leads a school district in a Chicago suburb with only 7,000 students, is the only candidate left standing. And he’s also named in a federal lawsuit accusing him of violating the Civil Rights Act by treating white and Asian students differently than black and brown students.

But parent Ted Golden believes Horton deserves a chance.

“I’m impressed with some of the innovative things he wants to do. Community-oriented. parent engagement, those are things that are critical to our success,” said Golden.

Over the weekend, the state superintendent, Richard Woods, chimed in.

He sent a letter asking the board to pause their firing process and allow Interim Superintendent Dr. Vassane Tinsley to remain in her position. The board chairman, thanked Woods for his input.

While the board approaches a vote, those in Monday’s meeting made it clear that the pressure is on for the board to get it right.

“We want to hold them accountable for the decision that they make,” said Hammonds.

“If they don’t come through with what they’re supposed to do, we got to vote them out,” added Golden.

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