Norman C. Sauce III named DeKalb County schools’ superintendent, former leader pleads guilty to Illinois federal charges

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Dr. Norman C. Sauce III is officially the new superintendent of the DeKalb County School District (DCSD), after serving 11 months as the district’s interim schools’ chief.  

The DeKalb County Board of Education (BOE) voted 4-1-1 on Monday, Oct. 5, to appoint Sauce to the school district’s top leadership role. 

BOE Vice Chair Awet Eyasu abstained from Monday’s vote while board member Tiffany Hogan cast the dissenting vote. Board member Diijon DaCosta did not attend the meeting. Both Eyasu and Hogan had voted against Sauce in September after Sauce was named the sole finalist with no other candidates interviewed for the position. Eyasu said at the time, however, that he would support Sauce in the future with or without his vote.

The board’s vote to approve Sauce’s official appointment drew a standing ovation as several elected officials and current and former superintendents from around the metro-Atlanta area gave Sauce a thunderous standing ovation.

Sauce’s wife, children and his mother stood alongside him as DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston administered the swearing-in ceremony following the board’s vote.

“I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to serve the students, families, educators, and communities of the DeKalb County School District,” Sauce said in a statement issued by the district. “I look forward to listening, learning, and working collaboratively with our entire school community to build on the district’s strengths and ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.”

Sauce was appointed acting superintendent at an emergency board meeting on Oct. 9, 2025, after former superintendent Devon Horton was indicted on federal kickback charges stemming from his time as superintendent with the Evanston /Skokie School District 65 in Illinois.

Sauce previously served the district as Chief of Student Services, where he supported and supervised the DCSD’s

Departments of Exceptional Education, English Language Learners, Gifted Education, and Early Learning

and Pre-K. He also served DCSD as Area Superintendent for High Schools, Region IV Superintendent, and principal of Chamblee High School.

Sauce is graduate of California State University, Long Beach; the University of California, Los Angeles; and the University of Southern California, where he earned his Doctor of Education degree. 

During his 26 years of service in public education, Sauce has built a career grounded instructional leadership, elevated academic access and outcomes, and organizational improvements.

Board Chair Allyson Gevertz welcomed Sauce’s appointment and expressed confidence in the next chapter of district leadership.

“Dr. Sauce brings a strong commitment to students, educators, and the communities we serve,” said Gevertz. “We look forward to working with him as we continue our focus on student achievement, strong schools, and meaningful engagement with families and the broader DeKalb community.”

For more information on Dr. Sauce, click here. 

Former Superintendent Devon Horton pleads guilty to federal charges

Meanwhile, former superintendent Devon Horton, 49, pled guilty on Monday, Oct. 5, to three federal counts of wire fraud, embezzlement, and tax evasion involving the  Evanston/Skokie School District 65 in Illinois, where he worked before his appointment as the DeKalb County School District’s superintendent.

Prosecutors state that Horton awarded more than $280,000 in contracts (Evanston/Skokie School District) to companies owned by three of his longtime friends: co-defendants Samuel Ross, Antonio Ross and Alfonzo Lewis. The companies allegedly submitted false invoices for services that were not rendered to the Evanston/Skokie School District 65, and then funneled kickbacks to Horton. 

Last year, after all four men were indicted on 17 federal charges, they pled not guilty. However, Antonnio Ross recently pled guilty to the alleged scheme and has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors at trial. The trial is set to begin Oct. 21. Horton is set to be sentenced on Jan. 5, 2027. 

Photos: DeKalb County School District