Dixon Unified approves reclassification recommendations, directs review of SEIU process

The Dixon Unified School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously June 25 to approve the superintendent's recommendations on reclassification requests submitted through the SEIU contract process, while directing administration to negotiate a review of the panel's procedures with SEIU.

The action followed a public comment period in which Stephanie Adias, who identified herself as the Administrator Secretary of Maintenance Operation and Facilities, told the board the committee's recommended salary range for her position did not reflect the full scope of her duties and was "range $3.10 lower than a school office coordinator." Several other community members, including retiree Patty Adams, spoke in support of Adias.

The board's decision preserves the increases for employees the reclassification panel and superintendent recommended, but trustees signaled they want to fix what they described as a dated and sometimes unclear review framework tied to the SEIU contract. Trustee comments during deliberations emphasized two concurrent goals: ensure employees who were approved for reclassification receive the awarded pay and pursue a negotiated revision to the district's reclassification procedures so future reviews are clearer and fairer.

Assistant Superintendent Doctor Scudero told the board the reclassification panel is created under an article in the SEIU contract, submits recommendations to the superintendent, and the superintendent then presents recommendations to the board for final action. Scudero described his role as collecting applicants' documentation, interviewing employees and supervisors, briefing the panel, recording outcomes and relaying the panel's decisions up the chain.

In public comment, Adias laid out a 24-year district tenure and said she has taken on duties of two positions since a 2008 reorganization. "The reclassification does not accurately reflect the level of responsibility workload that comes with my role as a 12 month employee," she said. She asked the board to approve a higher pay-range than the panel recommended.

Board members acknowledged the panel followed the contract but said the board and administration lack clear guidance about what the superintendent's review should include. Trustee Espinosa proposed directing staff to open conversations with SEIU about revising the committee process and asked administration to report back to the board, ideally with an update at the July 24 meeting. Trustees also asked SEIU whether members on the panel might appear at future meetings to explain their recommendations.

Trustees discussed practical constraints: the contract requires a board decision by June 30, and pay…