Amharic | Arabic | Bengali | Burmese | Dari | French | Hindi | Karen | Nepali | Pashto | Somali | Spanish | Swahili

GSBA Honors DeKalb County School District with Quality School Board Award for Excellence in Governance and Student Success

(STONE MOUNTAIN, GA) – Last week, the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) announced that the DeKalb County School Board has earned the 2024 Quality School Board recognition for its dedication to fundamental standards of governance and leadership, laying the groundwork for ongoing district improvement and progress. This prestigious honor highlights the Board’s dedication to upholding crucial governance practices and creating a supportive environment where strong leadership contributes to student success.

“This award reflects the power of collaboration, hard work, and a shared commitment to excellence,” said Board Chair Mr. Diijon DaCosta, Sr. “Leadership starts at the top, and as a united Board, we are committed to changing how we do business—driving a culture of excellence, transparency, and accountability while building trust with our community. This recognition highlights the powerful impact of our efforts to elevate educational outcomes. At the end of the day, our focus remains on doing what’s best for our children, ensuring their success and well-being across our District.”

DeKalb County School District Superintendent Dr. Devon Q. Horton agrees.

“Earning the 2024 Quality School Board recognition is a significant milestone for our Board of Education,” Dr. Horton said. “It highlights the increasingly effective governance and leadership foundational to our mission of doing what’s necessary to provide a high-quality education here in DeKalb County. Our Board’s commitment to these principles directly impacts the success of our students and staff. I am proud to work alongside this dedicated team of professionals.”

As part of the recognition, GSBA will honor the recipients at the 2024 GSBA/GSSA Annual Conference in Atlanta in December.

Georgia superintendents and Board members developed the GSBA Governance Team Recognition Program to celebrate outstanding school board leadership based on state board standards. Since its inception in 1998, this program has been a benchmark of governance excellence, positioning Georgia as a national leader in educational governance standards.

Please visit the GSBA Awards section of the website for more information on GSBA awards and recognition programs or to view the full criteria for all Board levels.