The DeKalb County Board of Education hired Devon Horton for the superintendent position in a 6-1 vote Wednesday morning.

The board held a closed-door session, where members discussed personnel and legal issues privately. However, all votes were taken publicly.

The vote capped off a two-week period of public input in the district, where local and national critics weighed in on the board’s sole finalist.

Earlier this week, parents and the local NAACP chapter voiced concerns over whether the process to name the next superintendent has been rushed.

“The reality is they’ve struggled with this decision of the superintendent,” said Dekalb NAACP President Lance Hammonds.

Dr. Horton, who currently leads a school district in a Chicago suburb with only 7,000 students, is the only candidate left standing. He’s also named in a federal lawsuit accusing him of violating the Civil Rights Act by treating white and Asian students differently than black and brown students.

But parent Ted Golden believes Horton deserves a chance.

“I’m impressed with some of the innovative things he wants to do. Community-oriented. parent engagement, those are things that are critical to our success,” said Golden.

Over the weekend, the state superintendent, Richard Woods, chimed in.

He sent a letter asking the board to pause their firing process and allow Interim Superintendent Dr. Vassane Tinsley to remain in her position. The board chairman, thanked Woods for his input.

While the board approaches a vote, those in Monday’s meeting made it clear that the pressure is on for the board to get it right.

“We want to hold them accountable for the decision that they make,” said Hammonds.

“If they don’t come through with what they’re supposed to do, we got to vote them out,” added Golden.

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