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 President Cuevas said the situation was a human-resources matter and “legally, we as a board are unable to talk about the details.” He told the room the district has been communicating with Brothers but declined to provide further specifics.

Why it matters: speakers said the effect of the district’s personnel decision goes beyond one teacher because band students typically stay together across multiple years and because auxiliary school supports — concerts, travel and community events — depend on continuity in the program. Students and parents said sudden changes harm students’ sense of belonging and could cause some to stop participating.

What speakers said

• Aaron Brothers, Dixon High band director: “I was hired with two weeks to prepare for a new school year and to completely start a new music program for fourth grade from scratch. When I received my letter stating that my position was being posted, I was surprised and confused.” Brothers described frequent, ongoing contact with her university advisor and with district administrators about paperwork and said her UIP (university internship paperwork) arrived while she was receiving dialysis; four hours later she was told the position had been filled. “I was devastated,” she said, adding that students cried when they learned she might be replaced.

• Student speakers included Cloud Halfaker, Juan Pablo “JP” Ramírez and Ruby Guzman. Cloud Halfaker said she had chosen to remain in band because of Brothers. JP Ramirez told the board Brothers had inspired him and others and appealed directly to trustees: “Don’t be unfair. Don’t put them down. Let them grow.” Ruby Guzman, an AVID tutor who received a Seal of Biliteracy, said of Brothers: “She is the only person who’s been able to do that — she took that all away. In the band room, nothing matters. You’re just with people who understand who you are.”

• Parents and community supporters included Jenny Molina, Yadira Guzman, Molly Smith and Sharon McComis (Brothers’ mother). Jenny Molina said several of her children have benefited from the band program and urged the district to support the teacher. Sharon McComis described Brothers’s academic credentials and asked directors to “find a better way” to support teachers who are completing credential requirements.

• Staff and colleagues: Aime Echeverria and Megan Kelly, teachers who said they completed internship pathways under district processes, told the board there is inconsistent or missing guidance from district staff to help interns meet credential timelines and paperwork requirements.

District response and next steps

Board President Cuevas and Superintendent Brett Barley said the district had been in communication with Brothers and thanked the students and parents for their testimony, but they said board members were constrained from discussing personnel specifics at a public meeting. The board did not vote or direct staff publicly during the meeting; the superintendent said the district would continue communications with the teacher.

Ending

Speakers at the meeting urged the board to adopt clearer processes for teachers on emergency credentials and to offer the teacher more flexibility while the university paperwork is finalized. The board said it could not discuss personnel matters in open session and offered no additional public action at the meeting.