Community urges district to reconsider dismissal of Dixon High band director amid credential dispute

Dozens of students, parents and staff packed the May 15 Dixon Unified School District board meeting to urge the district to reconsider its decision to post the band director position at Dixon High School, saying the director, Aaron Brothers, was not provided clear guidance while pursuing a university internship required to clear an emergency credential.

The public speakers told the board that Brothers, who serves as director of bands at Dixon High and teaches fourth-grade music, was hired on emergency credentials in summer 2024 and told by district leaders she would be supported while completing a university internship program. Brothers said she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and required dialysis starting in December; that health treatment caused her to pause credential coursework for a time but that she continued to pursue the university internship paperwork. She said she received final university approval 72 hours after learning the district had hired another person to fill her position.

The district did not take action or make a public personnel decision during the meeting. Board…