Thank you Tom. Terrific that the feds picked up your work.
If D65 staff lied on behalf of Horton doesn’t that raise questions about the current superintendent? She was assistant superintendent already in 2022 which is in the period covered by the indictment.
The guy is the gift that keeps on giving. I was working on a story involving his escapades in Georgia, which are many and 10x the issues here, but looks like the feds did the work for me.
I’ve been thinking about how sad it is for the 5th ward kids that the school they deserved to have not only should not have been built the way it came about, but is now tainted by that (and likely this indictment) plus the resulting school closures.
I am truly relieved to see some accountability. It has been a long time coming. I’m thankful for your reporting, Tom, and I’m hoping that this community has learned never again to be silenced. When something is not right, we have to use our voice.
I’m curious about future safeguards. How will the board and future boards prevent anything like this from happening again?
And I’m worried about the backlash against equity and DEI. Very worried.
So long in coming! Tom, thanks for all your work. Maybe, just maybe, Evanston will look at the facts in each situation and not ignore the honest questions of our citizens.
Good news that he will be held accountable it seems?
Now, who is going to sue the board members that failed in their fiduciary duties and allowed some of these behaviors to occur and turn their eyes away?
Each of the board officers should be held equally accountable. Joey, as finance chair for so many years, Biz, Sergio, Suni, Anya. Someone please get that lawsuit started as well…
I know they won’t, but I want all the people who supported him blindly to apologise. I want them to acknowledge the significant, long term damage Horton and the Board of Education did in a relatively short amount of time.
I hope this isn’t just a civil rights case. They reopened Stacy Deemar’s case that had been previously dismissed. That would be such a let down. As you’ve shown with your investigative work, Horton is guilty of much more. I agree that Sergio should resign too.
UPDATE: DeKalb Superintendent indicted, placed on leave. 'Following news of the indictment, the DeKalb School Board called an emergency meeting on Oct. 9 and placed Horton on paid administrative leave, appointing Chief of Student Services Norman Sauce as acting superintendent. When the school board adjourned its emergency meeting, board members looked visibly rattled before voting to place Horton on paid administrative leave. At one point, Pierce said, “Oh, God,” before reading a prepared statement.'
'Under Georgia law, when a public official is indicted, the governor may appoint a review commission to determine whether the official should be removed from office. The panel will include the attorney general and two other superintendents. The commission would have to make a written report and recommendation to the governor within 14 days.'
No mention of the damage he did to curriculum and teachers.. Was he hired by the current school board?
He was hired in 2019. You can view the board meeting he was hired at at this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDfkhca8uI4
I do have stories on the curriculum and teachers too, let me dig those up.
Thank you Tom. Terrific that the feds picked up your work.
If D65 staff lied on behalf of Horton doesn’t that raise questions about the current superintendent? She was assistant superintendent already in 2022 which is in the period covered by the indictment.
Sergio’s letter of resignation should be following shortly.
There's a petition going: https://c.org/7NgHxzFyxy
Tom, looks like Horton pulled you back into writing FOIA Gras! Lol
The guy is the gift that keeps on giving. I was working on a story involving his escapades in Georgia, which are many and 10x the issues here, but looks like the feds did the work for me.
You gotta cover the trial for us!
In his new district, what current escapades? We’re interested
Stay tuned
I’m glued Tom, let’s do this. I could use your powers on some of the folks he’s hired down here also.
Don’t worry it’s the same people he hired here! He relocated almost everyone
I’ve been thinking about how sad it is for the 5th ward kids that the school they deserved to have not only should not have been built the way it came about, but is now tainted by that (and likely this indictment) plus the resulting school closures.
I am “happy” about this and it’s been a long time coming, but christ what a shitstorm we’re in.
I just hope it is a substantial indictment and not a BS DEI/anti-woke one.
And yes, Sergio should resign. He won’t go easily.
We raised concerns early and were labeled as against equity and inclusion. It’d be interesting to hear from those voices today.
I am truly relieved to see some accountability. It has been a long time coming. I’m thankful for your reporting, Tom, and I’m hoping that this community has learned never again to be silenced. When something is not right, we have to use our voice.
I’m curious about future safeguards. How will the board and future boards prevent anything like this from happening again?
And I’m worried about the backlash against equity and DEI. Very worried.
So long in coming! Tom, thanks for all your work. Maybe, just maybe, Evanston will look at the facts in each situation and not ignore the honest questions of our citizens.
Of course Sergio should resign.
Good news that he will be held accountable it seems?
Now, who is going to sue the board members that failed in their fiduciary duties and allowed some of these behaviors to occur and turn their eyes away?
Each of the board officers should be held equally accountable. Joey, as finance chair for so many years, Biz, Sergio, Suni, Anya. Someone please get that lawsuit started as well…
I know they won’t, but I want all the people who supported him blindly to apologise. I want them to acknowledge the significant, long term damage Horton and the Board of Education did in a relatively short amount of time.
Here is indictment
https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/decaturish.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/6/2c/62ca8974-83d3-43e7-b8aa-a05e11042efc/68e81d3c2cbcf.pdf.pdf
I hope this isn’t just a civil rights case. They reopened Stacy Deemar’s case that had been previously dismissed. That would be such a let down. As you’ve shown with your investigative work, Horton is guilty of much more. I agree that Sergio should resign too.
Decataur board holding an emergency meeting tonight
UPDATE: DeKalb Superintendent indicted, placed on leave. 'Following news of the indictment, the DeKalb School Board called an emergency meeting on Oct. 9 and placed Horton on paid administrative leave, appointing Chief of Student Services Norman Sauce as acting superintendent. When the school board adjourned its emergency meeting, board members looked visibly rattled before voting to place Horton on paid administrative leave. At one point, Pierce said, “Oh, God,” before reading a prepared statement.'
'Under Georgia law, when a public official is indicted, the governor may appoint a review commission to determine whether the official should be removed from office. The panel will include the attorney general and two other superintendents. The commission would have to make a written report and recommendation to the governor within 14 days.'
https://www.decaturish.com/schools/update-dekalb-superintendent-indicted-placed-on-leave/article_bc90b01e-57bc-4f94-8e91-f8ad623b37be.html
RoundTable has been updated FYI
Pretty sure all the good reporting you’ve done, Tom, will be used by the prosecution in discovery…
Crying tears of JOY…