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The revolving door at DCSD
Oct. 17 — It’s Cathy from Rough Draft with my weekly newsletter on Tucker. Although the weather is lovely, we need to get some rain in Atlanta. According to the National Weather Service, September recorded its fifth driest month since it started counting in 1870 – a mere .16 of measurable precipitation.
This week’s edition provides you with more news on DeKalb’s latest disgraced school superintendent, a Q&A with the three candidates running to be Tucker’s next (and second-ever) mayor, news about Tucker Town Green, and a heads-up about upcoming events.
Have a great weekend, Cathy
A Tour of Southern Ghosts! Enjoy a lantern-led walking tour of ghost stories at Stone Mountain Park’s Historic Square – Oct. 16-25 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays – 7:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Presale tickets available. Fun for the whole family!SPONSOR MESSAGE
Photo by DCSD
Not so-good-trouble
Devon Q. Horton, federally indicted on fraud charges last week, has resigned as superintendent of the DeKalb County School District – the latest in a pretty long line of disgraced school leaders.
The DeKalb County School Board voted 6-1 to accept Horton’s resignation in a lengthy closed executive session held Oct. 15. He will continue on paid leave until Nov. 15, according to Carla Parker, DeKalb County Schools spokeswoman.
On Oct. 9, Horton was indicted on 17 charges by the U.S. Attorney for acts he allegedly committed while serving as the superintendent of Evanston-Skokie School District 65 in Illinois.
Between 2021 and 2023, the 37-page indictment alleges that Horton accepted and approved contracts with business partners that would financially benefit him, to the tune of more than $85,000 in kickbacks.
Next up, a forensic audit of Horton’s credit card expenditures. Early indications are that more trouble is brewing there, too. We are on the case.
Greater Atlanta Christian School, serving Infant–12th grade, continues to lead in innovative Christian education in Atlanta. The new Tidwell Commons provides Middle and High School students with hands-on learning spaces, including media studios, a modern library, and the Center for Christian Life and Missions.
Plus, GAC’s new Business Innovation & Entrepreneurship Program lets students explore business with real-world learning. From mastering the basics of entrepreneurship to stepping into C-suite roles at the on-campus coffee shop, students gain unparalleled experience – all without leaving campus.
As the race for Tucker’s second-ever mayor heats up, Rough Draft sent each mayoral candidate a list of three questions about their backgrounds and hot-button topics they have heard from Tucker residents on the campaign trail.
Anne Lerner, Beverly Williams, and Noelle Monferdini shared their answers, which have been edited for length.
An expansion to the Downtown Tucker Entertainment District got the green light during Tuesday’s Tucker City Council meeting.
During the Oct. 14 meeting, council unanimously approved the expansion of the district to include the Tucker Town Green, which is slated to open next month. The district was first created in 2022 to allow Tucker businesses within the district with a consumption on-premises alcohol license to serve beverages that can be enjoyed outside in specially marked cups.
Courtney Smith, community development director for the city, said the goal is to enhance the vibrancy and street life in downtown Tucker.
More than a dozen protests denouncing President Donald Trump are planned in cities across metro Atlanta Saturday in support of the “No Kings” movement, including one in Tucker.
Demonstrations are planned in Tucker, Atlanta, Decatur, Smyrna, Marietta, and several other surrounding suburbs on Saturday, Oct. 18, at various times between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., according to the website of the Indivisible Project, the grassroots movement behind the marches that seeks to “elect progressive leaders, rebuild our democracy, and defeat the Trump agenda.”
In Tucker, a demonstration will be held from 1-3 p.m. at the Northlake Festival Shopping Center, 3955-4973 Lavista Rd. The DeKalb County Police Department has been in touch with the Indivisible Project to ensure the event goes smoothly, said Elise Wells, DeKalb County Police public information officer.
Here is more information about the Tucker event and others around the metro area.
Photo by American Legion Post 207
Coming down the pike
American Legion Post #207 is again hosting a Veteran’s Day 5K, which serves as both a fundraising tool as well as an opportunity to interact with the local Tucker community. The new course, which is a Peachtree Road Race qualifier, will be on Nov. 9, starting at Tucker High School. If you register early, you can save a couple of bucks. Remember, the post is still raising money to restore its building, which was destroyed in a fire in 2019.
The last recycling date for 2025 by Druid Hills Presbyterian Church will be held Sunday, Oct. 19 at 1026 Ponce de Leon Ave NE. Hard-to-recycle materials will be accepted, including Styrofoam, books, electronics, paints, and chemicals. Check here for more info on what will be accepted.
Nov. 1 will be the last official Tucker Parks & Rec Georgia football-watching party at Church Street Greenspace. The Bulldogs are playing the Florida Gators, who seem to have lost their swagger this year. The event will start at 2:00 p.m., in plenty of time to get situated for the 3:30 p.m. kickoff.
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