DeKalb's long list of school superintendents

Education

DeKalb's long list of school superintendents

The DeKalb County School District has had a revolving door of superintendents since 2010. Nine people have served in that position — including one person who served twice.

Former DeKalb teacher and principal Crawford Lewis was hired as superintendent in October 2004. In 2010, he was fired around the time he was indicted in a school construction corruption case. Lewis pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor obstruction charge. (AJC File)

Ramona Tyson, who began her three decades-plus career in DeKalb as a teacher, was named interim superintendent in February 2010 after Crawford Lewis was fired. (AJC File)

Cheryl Atkinson led the DeKalb school district from September 2011 until the school board agreed to part ways with Atkinson in February 2013. She acknowledged many parents had “trust issues” with her. (AJC File)

Michael Thurmond, the former state labor commissioner, was hired as the leader of DeKalb schools in February 2013 and agreed to stay until a permanent replacement was hired. (Johnny Crawford/AJC)

Steve Green was hired as DeKalb's superintendent in May 2015 after leaving the superintendent’s post in Kansas City, Missouri. He agreed to leave DeKalb amid concerns about staff turnover and teacher retention. (AJC File)

Ramona Tyson was tapped to lead DeKalb schools for a second time from November 2019 until her retirement in June 2020. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Cheryl Watson-Harris was the first deputy chancellor for New York City’s board of education before being hired as DeKalb's superintendent. She led the district from July 2020 until she was fired in April 2022. (Steve Schaffer/AJC)

Vasanne Tinsley served as interim superintendent of DeKalb schools from April 2022 to 2023. Tinsley came out of retirement to serve in that role. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Devon Horton was hired in 2023. He resigned in 2025, after he was indicted on federal charges in Illinois related to an alleged kickback scheme in his old job. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Norman C. Sauce III was appointed acting superintendent in 2025 after Devon Horton resigned. (Courtesy DeKalb County School District)

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The DeKalb County School District has had a revolving door of superintendents since 2010. Nine people have served in that position — including one person who served twice. (Photo illustration by Cassidy Alexander)