DeKalb County Board of Education announced its recommendations for the planned forensic audit of former superintendent Devon Q. Horton after holding a closed, executive session Wednesday.
At the end of the nearly three-hour session, Deirdre Pierce, DeKalb schools’ board chair, announced the board directive to send the request for proposals out to “multiple firms for a forensic audit.” The board unanimously approved the proposal plan.
During the session, the board discussed potential vendors for the forensic audit of district contracts and purchases that originated from the former superintendent’s office. A recommendation for a vendor could be presented as soon as the November board meeting, according to Carla Parker, DeKalb County Schools spokeswoman.
A forensic audit will determine whether Horton, whose annual base salary as of July 2025 was $360,000, misused his school system purchasing card.
The school board last met on Oct. 15 in a closed executive session, ending in a 6-1 vote to accept Devon Q. Horton’s resignation as DeKalb County’s superintendent after he was named in a 17-count federal indictment earlier this month. He will continue on paid leave until Nov. 15.
“We recognize the seriousness of the situation and remain committed to transparency, accountability, and maintaining public trust,” Pierce said in a statement earlier this month.
In January, the board agreed to pay $85,000 to Forvis Mazars to examine its p-card policies, according to a report by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Auditors evaluated a sample of transactions between July 1, 2023, and Sept. 30, 2024. DeKalb issued more than 200 p-cards during that time, including one issued to every principal.
Related stories:
• Horton, former DeKalb School head, pleads not guilty to wire fraud, tax evasion charges
• DeKalb parents seek to repair ‘systemic failure’ after superintendent’s resignation
The board met Wednesday afternoon to review recommendations and consider public comment on its B policy, which pertains to such topics as gifts and bequests, solicitations, student assignments, and naming facilities. Many of the recommendations were slated for a vote during the board’s regular meeting, which is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Nov. 10.
The B policy meeting’s agenda can be found here. The meeting can be viewed via DeKalb Schools TV (DSTV) at this link .