DEKALB COUNTY, GA. — Recent disclosures about spending authorized by former DeKalb County School District Superintendent Dr. Devon Horton have reignited criticism of district policies that allow top administrators wide discretion over taxpayer-funded expenditures.
Records show Horton approved payments totaling $45,000 to a personal acquaintance for a speaking engagement and related book purchases during a district convocation. Under current district policy, expenditures under $100,000 do not require school board approval — a threshold critics say creates unnecessary risk and lacks sufficient oversight.
The spending comes as Horton faces federal charges in Illinois and as DeKalb County Schools conduct a forensic audit to determine how much district money was spent during his two-year tenure. Community watchdogs argue the issue highlights long-standing governance gaps rather than an isolated incident…