Dr. Horton joins a prestigious group of national security experts and education leaders

(STONE MOUNTAIN, GA)— The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) proudly announces that Superintendent Dr. Devon Q. Horton has been selected to serve on the newly formed Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) School Safety Clearinghouse External Advisory Board. This influential board comprises school safety experts and education leaders who will provide critical guidance and recommendations to enhance K-12 school safety and security.

The Advisory Board will advise Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas through the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) on implementing evidence-based school safety practices. The board’s recommendations will be published on SchoolSafety.gov, a federal platform offering school safety resources and guidance.

“I am honored to serve on this advisory board and contribute to the national effort to create safer learning environments. In a world with ever-shifting and elevated threats, I believe our collective experiences will be constructive in helping develop practical solutions that improve protection for our students, staff, and communities,” Dr. Horton said.

This week’s DHS announcement comes nearly two years after the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act expanded the Federal School Safety Clearinghouse and mandated the creation of this advisory board. The board represents diverse perspectives from various fields, including education, public safety, cybersecurity, and civil rights.

A complete list of the inaugural board members is HERE.

CISA will convene the board for its first meeting in Fall 2024.