The board appointed Tyson, deputy chief superintendent of business operations, as interim superintendent on Feb. 25 following Lewis’ request to temporarily step down. Lewis made the request for the temporary departure hours after police raided his Stone Mountain home, seizing six boxes and three computer hard drives during a five-hour search.

District Attorney Gwen Keyes Fleming said that prosecutors executed search warrants at Lewis’ home and three school buildings as part of the investigation. Pope’s home and the office of her husband, architect Anthony Pope, as well as the home of C. D. Moody Jr., a contractor for the school system were raided by authorities last October.

“This is all part of an ongoing investigation which was started at the request of the school system’s administration. After reviewing the information we gathered today, we anticipate bringing this matter to an appropriate conclusion,” Fleming said in a statement.

The recent 7:30 a.m. raid rocked the normally quiet Southland community where Lewis and a number of DeKalb’s top brass live. Pastor James C. Ward, who heads the historic Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, said he heard helicopters flying over the community and saw police and the media everywhere and wondered what the commotion was all about. He said he found out as the news broke on television and radio.

Several neighbors watched curiously, some of them stopping in their driveways as they were heading for work that morning. Lewis opened the door to police, dressed in a shirt and tie. He told the media that he was cooperating with the investigation.

Lewis reportedly has hired Bernard Taylor of the national law firm Alston and Bird, LLP to represent him. Taxpayers will have to foot the bill for Lewis’ legal fees. Under the superintendent’s contract, the district pays for Lewis’ legal expenses unless he is arrested or indicted.

Lewis, who earns $255,000 a year, will be paid while he is on leave. Tyson will be paid her same salary, $165,035, while she serves as interim superintendent.

School Board Vice Chair Zepora Roberts spoke out in support of Lewis, saying she would like to see Lewis return to work.

From the pulpit, Voices of Faith’s Bishop Gary Hawkins, Sr. called on his congregations in Stone Mountain and Conyers to pray for Lewis, saying that Satan attacks those elevated at higher offices.

Staff Writer Joshua Smith contributed to this report.