The final DeKalb County Board of Education Regular Meeting of 2024 concluded with heartfelt tributes on December 9 as three dedicated Board members prepared to step down. Surrounded by colleagues, staff, and community members, the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) paid tribute to Mrs. Anna Hill, Dr. Joyce Morley, and Mrs. Vickie B. Turner at the Board meeting and afterward at a reception in their honor.
This recognition was both a celebration and a significant milestone. It marked the conclusion of a chapter influenced by three individuals who approached their roles with conviction, creativity, and compassion. Each Board member leaves behind accomplishments that have created new opportunities, from strategic financial oversight to policies centered around student success and well-being.
Superintendent Dr. Devon Q. Horton praised their service and commitment over the years.
“They have consistently shown the highest levels of commitment to making our District the best it can be,” said DCSD Superintendent Dr. Devon Q. Horton. “I am extremely proud to have been chosen by this Board to lead the District and even prouder to have worked alongside these extraordinary individuals.”
Mrs. Anna Hill, who has served as the District 1 representative since 2021, applied a meticulous, finance-focused lens to her work. A certified public accountant licensed in Georgia, she brought years of fiscal insight and a deep community connection, highlighted by her son’s recent graduation from Chamblee High School. Throughout her term, Mrs. Hill found pride in fostering unity and working conscientiously to strengthen the District’s financial stewardship.
“I saw from a parent’s perspective how I could contribute and help as a certified public accountant,” she said. “We’ve grown as a District, and we’ve grown as a community. Working across the school district- all seven districts- and thinking about everyone is a wonderful change, and I’m very proud of that work.”
Dr. Joyce Morley’s tenure as the District 7 Board representative highlights the importance of long-term commitment and educational expertise. As the longest-serving member of the current Board, having joined in 2013, Dr. Morley is very familiar with the evolution of DCSD. Her background as both a public school educator and a post-secondary professor has deepened her perspective and understanding. For her, the true essence of the District lies in the students themselves. For her, it is the ultimate measure of success.
“I am an educator of over 40 years, and it has been a great experience for me. The most rewarding thing for me is the children,” said Dr. Morley. “When I visit the schools or hear from the principals, I get excited about it because that’s what it is all about—what’s going on in the schools because that’s where the children are.”
District 5 representative and former Board Chair, Mrs. Vickie B. Turner, is an educator with over two decades of experience. During her 10 years servicing on the Board, she provided a consistently reliable voice. Selected by her colleagues as both vice chair and chair, Mrs. Turner’s leadership was guided by her faith and a strong moral compass. She viewed public education as a cause far more significant than herself, dedicating her efforts to improving the lives of students, families, and staff throughout DeKalb County.
“There is no cause greater than public education. Something pulled on me that said get involved with the solution because we can all articulate the problem and challenges facing our communities,” said Mrs. Turner.
“But it’s another thing to become one with the solution, and that was important to me. It’s been an honor and a privilege to work with a group of people who are very diverse and who centered us around a cause, the unique DeKalb County School District. Once we synergized, we have done great and mighty things, which has been an honor and a privilege.”
These three outgoing leaders leave a legacy of seeking to unite diverse communities, champion fiscal responsibility, and never lose sight of who matters most: the students of DeKalb County.
To be sure, the three incoming Board members will bring fresh perspectives to the important work of building thriving educational environments across the District. Their journey begins against the backdrop of impressive accomplishments forged by those before them.
