Atlanta principal who resigned over sexting scandal now at a different school

A former Atlanta Public Schools principal who stepped down after a sexting scandal is now in charge of a Clayton County high school, according to Channel 2 Action News.

Atlanta schools allowed Eldrick Horton to resign from Frederick Douglass High School nearly four years ago without telling state authorities about the incident, the news station reported.

Stephen Katz, expert in education law, said Atlanta schools had a clear duty to report Horton’s conduct to the state. But instead his file was not marked do not rehire, the district said in a statement to Channel 2.

The snafu paved the way for Horton to take a similar role at North Clayton High School. It was not immediately clear when he became principal of the school.

According to a letter from the teacher’s lawyer to then-superintendent Errol Davis, Horton sent a Douglass High teacher a series of text messages in 2013.

“Professionalism aside,” Horton wrote, “I have a confession! ... Being around you makes me want to [have sex with] you!”

The teacher reported Horton and said he retaliated against her when she did not respond to his sexual advances.

Horton admitted sending the text messages and called his own conduct “inappropriate” and “unprofessional.” But he said he had not “rendered inappropriate treatment” as a result of the messages.

In his letter to Davis, Horton wrote: "I am ashamed, embarrassed and disappointed. ... I respectfully ask for your forgiveness ... if your decision does not render me being an assistant principal or a teacher, I plead with you to allow me to resign.”

He resigned June 30, 2014, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported at the time.

In the statement, Atlanta school officials said the district has made considerable improvement in its compliance with reporting requirements to the state.

Clayton County Public Schools declined to comment about the personnel matter.

Channel 2 spoke to Horton this week.

“I don't think that I'm any more perfect than you or anyone else is,” he said. “And as all of us have personal and professional resolve, I have likewise. My point of where I am today is about working to do what's best for the children."

Know what's really going on with crime and public safety in your metro Atlanta community, including breaking news, trial coverage, trends and the latest on unsolved cases. Sign up for the AJC's crime and safety newsletter delivered weekly to your inbox.