Two former DeKalb County Schools chiefs are suing the school district for millions in damages, claiming they were demoted in violation of their contracts following a “spat” between them.
Former Chief of Schools Michelle Dillard and former Chief Academic Officer Kia Billingsley said they were rivals of Interim Superintendent Norman Sauce for the superintendent role. Dillard also signaled she plans to sue media outlets that have reported on allegations against her, claiming the school district hid a report that cleared her name.
Both claim that the demotions cost them more than $2 million.
Dillard’s position appeared vacant on the district’s website on May 14, along with Billingsley’s position. The lawsuit said Dillard was involved in a dispute with a colleague on April 28, the first day of a two-day board retreat. Billingsley’s lawsuit confirmed that the dispute, described as a “spat,” was with Billingsley.
It’s the latest twist in the ongoing turmoil in DeKalb County Schools following the federal indictment and subsequent resignation of Devon Horton in 2025.
Sharese Shields, who represents Billingsley, sent press releases to the media on behalf of both Billingsley and Dillard. Dillard’s attorney, Julie Oinonen, confirmed to Decaturish via email that Billingsley was also filing suit and CC’d Shields in her response.
Oinonen said Dillard is no longer employed by the district, but Billingsley is still working there.
A school district spokesperson declined to comment, noting the district does not comment on pending litigation.
Dillard touted her accomplishments at the district, but said they were undermined by media reports that surfaced in 2023. Brought in by Horton, Dillard faced allegations of nepotism when her husband was hired by the district in 2023 as a school engagement coordinator.
Horton and Dillard worked together during his tenure at Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Ky.
Dillard claimed the district “hid an investigation report from the Chief of Schools that had previously found her cleared of the false and defamatory allegations that she had been subjected to in the media.”
“Her name continues to be smeared through ugly rumors, including accusing her of hiring her husband (nepotism), also a defamatory lie,” Dillard’s lawsuit said. “Plaintiff is contemplating legal action against all individuals (including media outlets) who are engaged in such defamation.”
The statute of limitations for defamation claims is one year after the publication of the defamatory statement, according to Minc Law, a firm specializing in defamation cases.
Both lawsuits name Sauce and Chief Human Resources Officer Tasha Davis-Mills as defendants. Dillard said the district did not give her proper notice before demoting her to a position in the information technology (IT) department. She alleges Davis-Mills sent her an email on May 13 informing her she had been “removed from [her] role as chief of schools and Leadership, effective immediately.”
That same day, Davis-Mills informed Billingsley she was being suspended without pay for 30 days and would be demoted to “senior coordinator.”
Dillard’s lawsuit said the district could only recommend termination “upon written notice.”
“Defendants did not recommend termination—rather, they terminated Plaintiff Chief Dillard from her position as chief of schools and demoted her to the IT department without written notice of her charges to even inform her what the specific factual allegations were and without due process in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia Fair Dismissal Act. O.C.G.A. § 20-2-940,” the complaint said.
The lawsuit alleges the chief of schools’ job vacancy was announced through the media and internally to all principals, without affording Dillard any written notice or opportunity to be heard as required by due process under the Georgia Fair Dismissal Act.
The lawsuit said Dillard was involved in an alleged “dispute with a colleague” on April 28, the first day of a two-day board retreat.
Billingsley’s lawsuit sheds more light on the incident.
“On April 28, 2026, Dr. Billingsley informed Interim Superintendent Sauce of a spat she had just had with chief of schools, Michelle Dillard, who was a colleague and her sorority sister,” Billingsley’s lawsuit said. “The spat was regarding a professional matter, and it took place during a meeting behind closed doors with Ms. Dillard and two other colleagues on Interim Superintendent Sauce’s Executive Team. No parents, students or teachers were present.”
Billingsley’s lawsuit said Sauce initially shrugged off the incident.
“When Dr. Billingsley spoke with Interim Superintendent Sauce, he simply stated that ‘mistakes happen,’ that he believed she was the person to sit in the seat (as Chief Academic Officer) and that he still believes she was the person to sit in that seat,” the complaint said.
The two later gave a successful presentation and Billingsley earned a “high five” afterward, Billingsley’s lawsuit said.
According to Dillard’s lawsuit, Dillard gave Davis-Mills a formal statement on April 29 regarding the incident. The lawsuit said that two weeks later, Davis-Mills informed her she was being demoted to the IT Department following a 30-day unpaid suspension.
Billingsley’s lawsuit said that Davis-Mills sent her home the next day, April 29, and informed her there would be an investigation. However, Dillard’s lawsuit claims she was not notified of this investigation.
In both lawsuits, Dillard and Billingsley said they were potential rivals for Sauce’s job.
“Interim Superintendent Norman Sauce, a contender for the permanent job as superintendent, chose to remove Dr. Billingsley, along with chief of schools, Michelle Dillard—two exceptional educational leaders, who happen to be Black women considered by many as his strongest internal competitors for the permanent job,” the news release from Billingsley’s attorney said.
This story was provided by WABE media partner Decaturish.
