Newport-Mesa board introduces two assistant superintendents and welcomes new trustee

The Newport-Mesa Unified School District board on June 24 introduced two senior hires and welcomed a newly seated trustee.

Superintendent Smith introduced Jeffrey Dixon as the district's new assistant superintendent, noting Dixon's 15 years of education leadership and recent roles in facilities and business services at Laguna Beach Unified. "This is a great place to work," Dixon said, "I am very excited to take on the work, and be part of the Newport Mesa family." He thanked board members and his family, who attended the meeting.

Smith also introduced Tracy Nibb as assistant superintendent and chief human resources officer, citing more than 23 years in public education and experience in recruitment, negotiations and compliance. Nibb, who teaches an educational law and policy course, said she was honored to serve and looked forward to supporting district employees.

Board members and community leaders offered public welcome. Trustee comments during the meeting noted site visits to Newport Harbor High School, where trustees saw new culinary classroom build-outs, theater upgrades and a nearly completed pool. Newly seated Trustee Andrea McElroy said she had toured campuses and met district staff and principals since taking office and pledged to work collaboratively.

Smith used his informal report to preview a yearlong, district-led strategic-planning process described as "Newport Mesa 2030," including community outreach and the hiring of a consultant to guide development of a district portrait of a graduate and a long-range plan for people, facilities and finances. He also described a summer 'collective' of multiple agencies overseeing facilities repair work intended to keep classrooms open for instruction when school begins.

The introductions and reports were made during the board's regular meeting; no formal vote was required for the personnel introductions, which the superintendent presented as hires recently completed.