The Dixon Unit School District 170 Board of Education on Oct. 15 approved routine business and several items requiring board action, including a health-insurance renewal for fiscal year 2026, adoption of updated board policies and a new music curriculum for Reagan Middle School.

The board voted unanimously to approve the consent agenda, which included previous regular and special meeting minutes, the treasurer’s report, monthly bills, balance sheet and expense report, discipline and staff-development reports, website and social-media activity, and submitted building reports. "There is nothing new or unusual in this month's consent agenda," a district presenter said before the motion was called and the roll was taken.

The board approved the district's FY26 insurance renewal, which the presenter said reflects an "eight and a half percent increase in our health insurance premiums." The presenter clarified that the 8.5% increase applies to the total premium shared between employee contributions and the district; employee outlays are determined by existing contract formulas.

Board members also voted to adopt the set of updated board policies that had been presented on first reading. The presenter described the updates as five-year reviews and statutory/footnote updates; no objections from the district employee associations were reported.

After a presentation and pilot report from district music staff, the board approved adoption of the Music First classroom platform and curriculum for Reagan Middle School. District music teachers told the board they piloted Music First with middle-school ensembles and reported improvements in individualized instruction, student practice access, and measurable gains on short assessments. The presenter also provided cost information: Music First charges per-seat licensing; the district cited approximately $14 per user per year for the basic package shown in materials.

The board approved personnel actions as presented, including a new paraprofessional hire (Anna Sirat Sinkah, effective 10/16/2025) and accepted two resignations (Elise Drownes and Brianna Grove with effective dates noted in the personnel report).

Finally, the board voted to adjourn into a closed session to discuss personnel, potential real estate, and student disciplinary matters.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda: approved (roll call: Mister Fritz, Missus Gates, Missus LeBlanc Parks, Mister Rogers, Mister Wadsworth, Missus Wagner — all Aye)
- Insurance renewal (FY26): approved (roll call: all Aye)
- Adoption of updated board policies (five-year reviews): approved (roll call: all Aye)
- Approval of Music First curriculum at Reagan Middle School: approved (roll call: all Aye)
- Personnel actions (hires/resignations): approved (roll call: all Aye)
- Motion to adjourn to closed session: approved (roll call: all Aye)

The approvals were unanimous in each roll-call vote recorded in the meeting transcript. No motions failed or were tabled during the business portion of the meeting.