Interim superintendent: DeKalb County Schools at a ‘critical juncture’

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County School District’s interim superintendent says the system is at a “critical juncture” as leaders weigh major changes that could reshape where students attend school and how resources are distributed.

In an exclusive interview with 11Alive, Interim Superintendent Dr. Norman Sauce laid out his vision for the district’s future — nearly seven months after stepping into the role.

“This is not a school closure conversation. This is a student opportunity conversation,” Sauce said. “We have students attending schools that are, in some cases, significantly over-enrolled and some that are under-enrolled.”

While his title is temporary, the decisions ahead may have long-term impacts on students and families across DeKalb County.

At the center of those decisions is the district’s Student Assignment Project (SAP) — a plan that could redraw school boundaries and address long-standing disparities between schools.

The district has seen significant enrollment changes over the past decade. Dr. Sauce said their student population has fallen from just over 100,000 to around 91,000. 

But that decline has not been evenly distributed.

“That leads to unequal access of opportunity, of student experiences and academic programming,” he said. 

SAP is designed to address those imbalances, like advanced coursework, access to gifted education and English learning support.

The process has drawn attention from families across the district, with many closely watching how potential changes could affect their schools.

Sauce said community input will play a key role moving forward.

“We’ve listened. We’ve learned. We’ve heard, and most importantly, we understand the need to be closer in the space with our communities in the decision-making process,” he said.

The district plans to release more details about the student assignment project next week, with leaders promising more specific, community-focused proposals.