North Cook News

The Evanston Skokie School District 65 is left with a large void as it searches for a replacement for Superintendent Devon Horton, who is leaving the district to take the helm of a school district in Georgia.

Horton will leave his post July 1, when he assumes his new role as superintendent at DeKalb schools in Georgia, according to Patch.com, which also reported that the board announced during its June 5 meeting it will turn to longtime public educator Angel Turner, currently one of five assistant superintendents, to serve as interim superintendent while a search for Horton’s replacement is conducted.

“I know we want to make sure that we have an open discussion around how we approach again, replacing the irreplaceable Dr. Horton,” Board President Sergio Hernandez said during the Board of Education meeting, which was streamed on YouTube.

Horton had been with the district since 2020, and Turner joined the district in 2021, serving as its director of literacy, and was promoted to assistant superintendent in 2022.

“Your belief and faith in me to pick up the torch and continue to lead this district toward excellence gives me great joy and gratification,” Turner said at the meeting. “I am grateful for the trust and confidence that the board has placed in me, and I assure you all that I will do everything in my power to serve this district to the best of my ability. I recognize the challenges in front of us and also the incredible potential that lies ahead.”

As interim superintendent, Turner will face myriad challenges, according to the district agenda, including a $4 million budget shortfall, with a public hearing to be held June 12 to discuss the sale of $6.5 million in bonds to improve the cash situation.

During the meeting, the board also mulled over its path forward in the search for a new superintendent, ultimately agreeing to tap Turner for the interim role to ensure there are no gaps in service.

The board, acknowledging it is facing a short timeline, also discussed the benefits of securing a firm to conduct the search, which would ensure the process would be thorough, efficient and organized, with most board members favoring that option even though it would be an added expense.

Moreover, the board added during a separate session streamed on YouTube that it wants to ensure a high level of transparency and make sure that student advisory groups and parents are heard during the process, all while ensuring the district can continue to move forward and maintain momentum in work already being done

The board also weighed changing a restriction that requires a superintendent live within the district’s boundaries.