Dixon Unified: Board approves superintendent contract extension, multiple MOUs, grants and facility agreements

The Dixon Unified School District board of education approved a series of personnel actions, labor agreements, grant applications and facility contracts at its June meeting, including a contract amendment extending Superintendent Brett Barleythrough June 30, 2029.

The board also approved appointments for Melly Blackstone as principal at Anderson Elementary School and Carliza (Carlisa) Bataille as assistant principal at John Knight Middle School, accepted four provisional internship permit applications to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, adopted several memoranda of understanding with SEIU affecting paraeducator duties and substitute coverage, and approved two local-assignment resolutions under Education Code sections 44865 and 44256. A contract with ISEM Advisors to explore a potential local bond measure, and a one-year rental agreement allowing the Dixon Teen Center to use a classroom (band room) and restrooms at Maine Prairie High School on Fridays and Saturdays were also approved.

Why it matters: the package combines personnel moves, labor settlements and exploratory work that could lead to a future bond measure, as well as a new community partnership to house the teen center at a district site. The approvals include grant applications that, if awarded, would bring additional funds to targeted schools.

The boardunanimously approved the superintendent contract amendment to extend Barleythrough 06/30/2029; district staff answered one public question stating the amendment contains "no change in compensation." Appointments of Blackstone and Bataille were approved by voice vote without public objection. The board approved four provisional internship permit applications by roll call.

The board approved multiple MOUs with the districtteachers and paraeducator union (SEIU) that address: paraeducator out-of-class work (to resolve prior pay disparities), substitute coverage and a contract amendment restoring missing language in Article IX (teacher transfer/reassignment) that staff said was omitted in 2020 and is being reinstated.

Two local assignment resolutions were approved under Education Code 44865 and Education Code 44256 to permit specific teachers at alternative and other sites to teach assigned courses; the board took roll-call votes on those resolutions.

The board approved two grant applications: a Learning Communities for School Success application requesting $376,500 over three years to support mentoring, mental-health and truancy-reduction initiatives at four schools (Dixon High School, John Knight Middle School, Gretchen Higgins and Tremont), and a Restorative Practices grant application for $100,000 over two years to support professional development and restorative practices at the same group of schools. The board approved submission of both applications and instructed staff to return with awards for formal acceptance if the district is notified.

The board voted to contract with ISEM Advisors to explore a potential local bond measure and to begin community polling and modeling work; ISEM presented an overview of assessed valuation history, statutory capacity and a preliminary range of bond sizes. The board also approved a joint facility-use agreement with the City of Dixon covering gyms, multipurpose rooms, classrooms, athletic fields and parking lots; turf fields and the theater were explicitly excluded and remain subject to separate negotiation.

The meeting also included two public hearings (the LCAP and the proposed 2025—f-2026 budget) that were informational at this meeting; the board adopted a resolution specifying that Education Protection Account funds will be used for certificated salaries and benefits (teacher salaries) in accordance with state law.

Votes at a glance (motions recorded by agenda item): - Consent agenda: approved by voice vote. - Superintendent contract amendment (extend through 06/30/2029): approved unanimously; staff stated there is no compensation change. - Appointments: Melly Blackstone (principal, Anderson Elementary) — approved unanimously; Carliza/Carlisa Bataille (assistant principal, John Knight Middle School) — approved unanimously. - Four provisional internship permits (CCCTC submission): approved by roll call (trustees recorded as Aye in the transcript). - MOU with SEIU re: paraeducator out-of-class work (2024—f-25): approved unanimously. - MOU re: paraeducator substitute coverage contract amendment: approved unanimously. - MOU to reinstate missing contract language in Article IX (teacher transfer/reassignment): approved unanimously. - Resolution 25-6751 (Local assignment option, Ed. Code 44865): approved by roll call. - Resolution 25-6752 (Local assignment option, Ed. Code 44256): approved by roll call. - Agenda amendment to move teen center item earlier: approved unanimously. - One-year rental agreement with Dixon Teen Center (Maine Prairie High School band room + restrooms; Fridays & Saturdays 4 p.m.-9 p.m.; nonprofit facility rate plus custodial): approved unanimously after public comment. - Grant application: Learning Communities for School Success ($376,500, 3 years): board approved submission. - Grant application: Restorative Practices ($100,000, 2 years): board approved submission. - Contract with ISEM Advisors (bond exploration/polling/modeling): approved unanimously. - Resolution 25-6753 (Education Protection Account use): approved by roll call; district declared EPA funds will be used for certificated salaries and benefits. - Joint facility-use agreement with City of Dixon (excludes turf fields and theater; turf fields to be negotiated separately): approved unanimously.

What the board did not decide tonight: final acceptance of any grant awards (staff will return if grants are awarded), a new bond measure (the ISEM contract starts an exploratory process), and the districtproposed 2025—f-26 budget was presented in a public hearing and will return for adoption on June 26. The board also held an LCAP public hearing and will bring the finalized LCAP for adoption at a future meeting.

Ending: staff will return with any awarded grants, a detailed plan if the bond exploration moves forward and updated budget documents for the June 26 meeting.