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Dixon USD 170 board approves multi‑year DESPA contract, selects engineer and sets FY26 budget hearing
Summary
At its May 13 meeting the Dixon USD 170 Board of Education unanimously approved a multi‑year DESPA collective bargaining agreement, authorized WOLD Architecture for engineering services (waiving the RFQ), approved several interdistrict/cooperative agreements and set a hearing for the FY26 amended budget; the board also approved personnel actions, student fees and an updated wellness policy.
The Dixon USD 170 Board of Education on May 13 unanimously approved a string of actions including a multi‑year collective bargaining agreement for DESPA, vendor and cooperative renewals, updated policies and personnel moves, and set a hearing for the FY26 amended budget.
The board voted to establish a public hearing on the FY26 amended budget after Chief School Business Official Marc Campbell presented the materials. The motion to set the hearing, moved by David Fritts and seconded by Brandon Rogers, passed on a roll call vote with Gates, Rogers, Schaefer, Wadsworth, Fritts and Wegner voting yea and no nays.
In a separate item the board approved a resolution selecting WOLD Architecture for engineering services and waived the Request for Qualifications process; Campbell and Principal Jared Shaner explained the project rationale during the meeting. The board also approved a presented bid for district garbage services and renewed cooperative swimming agreements with Byron for 2026–2028.
Labor and personnel matters were among the meeting's larger substantive outcomes. The board unanimously approved the DESPA collective bargaining agreement covering the 2026–2027 through 2028–2029 school years; after the vote DESPA representatives and board members signed the agreement. Mrs. Melissa Gates, who moved the motion, thanked the bargaining team for their work.
The board approved multiple personnel actions, including new hires, several changes in assignment and accepted resignations that will take effect at the end of the 2025–2026 school year. After returning from executive session the board approved raises for non‑certified, non‑union staff for 2026–2027 and set substitute teacher rates for the same school year.
Policy and program decisions included a unanimous first reading approval of Board policies (Issue 121) and adoption of an updated District wellness policy following a presentation from Principal Matt Magnafici. The board also approved student fees for 2026–2027.
On informational items, Campbell highlighted initial Title allocations and forthcoming changes to the district financial dashboard. Campbell said breakfast and lunch prices will remain the same for next year. Director of Technology James Manley updated the board on a district‑wide phishing campaign, the status of E‑Rate funding, and community notifications related to a Canvas data incident. Assistant Superintendent Doug Stansford provided information on summer school programming.
Public comments included community volunteer Chris Bishop reporting that daily announcements have begun at Reagan Middle School, offering student artwork for the boardroom and promoting a July 4 bridge dedication and a June 22 Red, White and Blue Ball to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. Community member Mindy Donoho thanked the board for ratifying the DESPA agreement.
Votes at a glance: • Consent agenda (minutes, financials, reports): moved by Melissa Gates, seconded by Brandon Rogers — approved unanimously. • Establish FY26 amended budget hearing: moved by David Fritts, seconded by Brandon Rogers — approved unanimously. • Garbage services bid: motion approved unanimously. • Resolution selecting WOLD Architecture (waive RFQ): motion approved unanimously. • First reading, Board policies Issue 121: motion approved unanimously. • DESPA collective bargaining agreement (2026–2029): moved by Melissa Gates, seconded by Brandon Rogers — approved unanimously; agreement signed. • Byron swimming cooperative renewals (2026–2028) and competitive swimming/diving agreement with Byron: approved unanimously. • Student fees for 2026–2027: approved unanimously. • Updated District wellness policy: approved unanimously. • Personnel slate (new hires, status changes, resignations): approved unanimously. • Raises for non‑certified, non‑union staff for 2026–2027 and substitute teacher rates: approved unanimously after return from executive session.
What’s next: The board set a public hearing for the FY26 amended budget (materials presented at the meeting). The district will post the recorded meeting to the Dixon Public Schools YouTube channel the day after the meeting, and several personnel changes will take effect with the 2026–2027 school year.
Provenance: Meeting transcript SEG 004–SEG 013.
