Solano County and Dixon Unified outline PBIS rollout, training schedule and fidelity checks

Solano County Office of Education and Dixon Unified staff presented a progress report on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) implementation across district schools, emphasizing a multi‑tiered framework, equity‑centered planning and regular fidelity checks.

Jen Buslich, coordinator of prevention and intervention at the Solano County Office of Education, opened the presentation with an organizing metaphor: “When a flower doesn't bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.” Buslich and Dixon pupil services coordinator Nicole Huff described PBIS as a district‑wide framework that creates predictable, consistent, safe and positive environments (tier 1) and adds layers of support (tiers 2 and 3) for students who need more targeted or individualized assistance.

The presenters reviewed five interrelated implementation elements — equity, systems, practices, data and outcomes — and emphasized fidelity data (adult implementation measures) alongside outcome data (student grades, referrals and suspensions). Buslich said the district administered the Tiered Fidelity Inventory (TFI) to sites last fall and uses a 70 percent threshold as a common indicator that tier 1 features are in place and likely to yield positive student outcomes.

Huff outlined near‑term training and support: tier‑1 refresh sessions and team‑based training are scheduled this spring with multiple sessions for tier 2 teams every six weeks through the remainder of the year. She listed current site assignments: Anderson and John Knight as tier 1 schools; Gretchen Higgins, Tremont, Dixon High and Maine Prairie assigned to tier 2 for additional support.

County staff also said they have opened a stakeholder climate survey window for staff, students and parents (Jan. 6–30) to gauge school climate and inform planning. Buslich described PBIS as evidence‑based and iterative: implementation may dip because of staffing changes or other disruptions, and teams should monitor fidelity and outcomes continuously.

Trustees asked about Montessori participation and learned Dixon Montessori contracts with the county and is included in county PBIS supports. Superintendent Brett Barley said the district plans to elevate PBIS as a clear priority: “PBIS is a vehicle by which we can get there,” he said, describing it as foundational to academic progress and school climate.

Next steps: county and district staff will continue tiered training, collect and analyze TFI/fidelity and climate survey data, and use results to target supports and coaching at school sites.