Dixon USD 170 board hears public comment on superintendent search, moves to executive session

The Dixon USD 170 Board of Education met in special session on Nov. 6, 2025, and heard multiple public comments about the district’s superintendent search before voting to adjourn to executive session to discuss personnel matters.

President Linda Wegner called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m. in the Administrative Center board room. Board members confirmed receipt of meeting materials that had been distributed electronically on Nov. 4, and the meeting was recorded; the district said the video link would be posted after the meeting.

Wegner acknowledged written correspondence submitted by staff and community members raising concerns about the superintendent search process. Named correspondents included Dr. Sarah Willey, Candace Lind, Meg Penaflor, Leslie Haenitsch, Brigitte Becker, Jennifer Page, Brandon Woodward, Kevin Schultz and several others, plus one anonymous submission identified as "Jane Doe."

During the Citizen’s Agenda, six speakers—Brigitte Becker, Candace Lind, Addie Pace, Julia Thornton, Brandon Woodward and Dolph Ricks—addressed the board regarding the superintendent search process. The minutes record no verbatim quotes; the board acknowledged the comments and thanked attendees for participation. Board member Jon Wadsworth specifically thanked staff and community members for their involvement in the search process.

At 5:30 p.m. the board voted to adjourn to executive session "for the purpose of discussing the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee to determine its validity." The motion to go into executive session was made by Vice President Brandon Rogers, seconded by Mrs. LeBlanc-Parks, and approved on a roll call vote: Fritts, Gates, LeBlanc-Parks, Rogers, Schaefer, Wadsworth and Wegner voting yea; none voting nay.

The board returned to open session at 7:56 p.m. following a motion by Secretary Melissa Gates, seconded by Mr. Rogers; the motion passed on roll call with all members recorded as voting yea. Mrs. LeBlanc-Parks moved to adjourn at 7:57 p.m., seconded by Mr. Rogers; minutes state that "All were in favor." The meeting concluded without any additional public actions or formal announcements in open session.

The district roster listed Superintendent Margo Empen and several administrative staff in attendance, including Assistant Superintendent Doug Stansford and Chief School Business Official Marc Campbell. The minutes indicate that the executive session addressed personnel matters; no hiring, termination or disciplinary outcomes were recorded in the posted minutes of the open session.

Next procedural steps were not specified in the minutes. The district recorded that the meeting was videoed and the link would be posted on its website after the meeting.