DeKalb Schools names Dr. Norman C. Sauce III interim superintendent after Horton suspension

Dr. Norman C. Sauce III named interim superintendent

The DeKalb County Board of Education voted Thursday to appoint Dr. Norman C. Sauce III as interim superintendent following the suspension of Dr. Devon Horton. The decision came during an emergency meeting called just days after Horton was indicted on federal corruption charges in Illinois.

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - The DeKalb County Board of Education voted Thursday to appoint Dr. Norman C. Sauce III as interim superintendent following the suspension of Dr. Devon Horton. 

The decision came during an emergency meeting called just days after Horton was indicted on federal corruption charges in Illinois.

SEE ALSO: DeKalb superintendent indicted on 17 federal counts in Illinois case; placed on leave

Dr. Norman C. Sauce III (DeKalb County School District)

DeKalb County Schools superintendent suspended 

The backstory:

Federal prosecutors accuse Horton and three associates of steering contracts, approving false invoices, and accepting kickbacks while he led Evanston/Skokie School District 65. The 17-count indictment alleges the misconduct took place years before Horton was hired in Georgia.

Horton’s attorney has called the charges "unfounded and unrelated" to his work in DeKalb County, where he became superintendent in 2023 after a divisive hiring process.

Board members placed Horton on paid administrative leave pending a full review of the case. Sauce was immediately named interim superintendent following the board's actions Thursday.

SEE ALSO: DeKalb superintendent Dr. Horton's hiring was not without controversy

Dr. Norman C. Sauce III named DeKalb interim superintendent

The DeKalb County Board of Education named Dr. Norman C. Sauce III interim superintendent after suspending Dr. Devon Horton. Horton faces a 17-count federal indictment in Illinois alleging contract steering, false invoices, and kickbacks. Sauce, a veteran DeKalb administrator and former principal, is seen as a steady leader during the district?s transition.

Teachers' union reaction

What they're saying:

The Georgia Federation of Teachers has criticized the board’s decision to hire Horton, saying members raised concerns about his background before his selection.

"Even the state school superintendent asked DeKalb County to take another look," said a federation representative. "I personally got calls from our members, colleagues in the Illinois Federation of Teachers, and also from counterparts in the NEA in regards to this man. One former president of the NEA said, ‘Are you all sure you’re gonna hire this man?’ We are going to ask for legislation that would set not just minimum qualifications, but high qualifications for who a superintendent should be even before their interview."

The school district’s central office said Sauce is not yet available for interviews. Board members have also declined to comment, citing ongoing legal matters.

Who is DeKalb Schools interim superintendent

The DeKalb County Board of Education voted Thursday to appoint Dr. Norman C. Sauce III as interim superintendent following the suspension of Dr. Devon Horton. The decision came during an emergency meeting called just days after Horton was indicted on federal corruption charges in Illinois.

Who is Dr. Norman C. Sauce III?

What we know:

Dr. Norman C. Sauce III, a longtime Georgia educator and school administrator, had been serving as chief of student services for the DeKalb County School District.

Sauce, who previously led Region 4 as a regional superintendent, has spent his career working to strengthen school leadership and student support programs across metro Atlanta. According to the Blue & Gold, he has also served as a principal at both the elementary and high school levels, including Chamblee Charter High School, where he was credited with improving communication between teachers, parents and district officials.

Before rejoining DeKalb, Sauce held executive leadership roles in the Griffin-Spalding County School System, overseeing elementary education and student services. He is known for his emphasis on relationship-building and instructional leadership, often telling principals that they serve as their school’s "chief communications officers."

A Los Angeles native, Sauce earned degrees from California State University, Long Beach, and the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education. He and his wife are parents of twin boys.

DeKalb officials describe Sauce as a steady and collaborative leader who is well-respected within the district. His appointment comes as the school system works to maintain stability amid ongoing legal issues involving Horton.