Votes at a glance: Dixon Unified board approves several district plans, curriculum adoptions and MOUs

The Dixon Unified School District board approved multiple agenda items at the May 15 board meeting. Most items carried with routine assent; the record below summarizes each formal board action taken at the meeting.

Summary of approvals

• Resolution: Voluntary withdrawal from Government Financial Services Joint Powers Authority (JPA). The district presented a resolution to withdraw from the JPA in order to contract with an independent municipal advisor for future bond work. The superintendent said the withdrawal form would effectively end the district’s relationship with the JPA as of Jan. 19, 2025. Trustees voted to adopt the resolution; the chair called for the roll-call vote and trustees responded "aye" and the motion carried.

• K–8 math curriculum adoption (off-cycle): The district recommended adoption of Amplify Desmos math for grades K–8 (with dual-immersion site exceptions described below). The curriculum selection followed a yearlong review and a pilot comparing Amplify Desmos with another vendor (i‑Ready). Teachers rated Amplify Desmos highly for rigor and engagement; several pilot-site caveats apply, and the board approved the adoption. For Gretchen Higgins (the dual-immersion site), the district deferred the final decision on K–3 dual-immersion materials until a fall pilot so Spanish materials and full implementation could be evaluated. The board approved the K–8 adoption with that exception.

• Ethnic studies course adoption (high school graduation requirement): Trustees approved the district’s ethnic-studies curriculum adoption for implementation in 2025–26 in order to meet the state requirement that students graduating in the class of 2029–30 complete an ethnic-studies course. The proposed curriculum incorporates local surveys and community input (guest speakers, field trips, literature and arts) and will be taught as one semester of the graduated students’ course load.

• Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs): The board approved two one-year MOUs: (1) an MOU modifying Dixon High School’s bell schedule and establishing an intervention program, including a Tier 1 stipend for an intervention coordinator and use of a scheduling product (FlexiSchedule); and (2) a districtwide, one-year MOU that pilots moving common planning time (CPT) to Fridays across sites (the district will collect attendance sign-ins and evaluate the pilot before any multi-year commitment). Both MOUs were presented as one-year pilot agreements to allow evaluation and adjustments.

• Williams quarterly report: The board approved the Williams Act quarterly report; the superintendent noted one item on the report had been addressed and recommended approval.

• Consent agenda: The board approved the consent agenda without comment. The items contained routine business and were carried by motion.

How these items were decided

Most actions were approved by voice vote or roll call; board members responded in the affirmative and the motions carried. For items where pilot work or site nuances were identified (for example, dual-immersion classroom materials for Gretchen Higgins), the board approved site-specific exceptions and requested follow-up evaluation.

What’s next

Administrators will proceed with implementation tasks: working with a municipal advisor after withdrawing from the JPA, ordering adopted math materials and arranging professional development tied to the Gates-funded curriculum implementation grant, implementing the ethnic-studies course for the 2025–26 school year, monitoring the Dixon High intervention pilot and piloting districtwide CPT on Fridays as a one-year trial.