Brett Barley, sporting the Dixon color green and a broad smile, thanked the school board and administration for the opportunity to serve the community as the superintendent of schools. Retiring Superintendent Brian Dolan looks on.  Photo by Debra Dingman

DIXON, CA (MPG) - Brett Barley was formally appointed as the new Dixon Unified School District superintendent at the March 21 school board meeting and is anticipated to begin his new assignment on July 1.

He was chosen for his strong acumen in district finance, budgeting and business management, coupled with his strategic planning, community engagement, track record of student achievement gains and equity driven leadership, according to the school district.

 New Superintendent Brett Barley. Photo courtesy of Dixon Unified School District

Barley is currently superintendent of the California Montessori Project, a system of public schools serving approximately 3,000 students across the greater Sacramento region.  For the last five years, he has managed a $40 million annual budget and has overseen the growth of student achievement scores on the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress.

He was also the superintendent at Wonderful College Prep Academy in Delano, overseeing a school system with a mission to graduate students going on to college, including the ability to graduate from high school with a free associate degree. 

Barley began his career as a fourth-grade teacher in Alum Rock Union School District in San Jose at a school serving a high percentage of students qualifying for the free and reduced lunch program and identifying as English language learners.

In addition to administrative and classroom experience, Barley has a background in both education policy and public advocacy. As a deputy state superintendent for the Nevada Department of Education, Barley managed the largest division overseeing federal and state programs whose primary focus was on improving outcomes for all students.

There, Barley managed the Offices of Student and School Support; Standards and Instructional Support; Early Learning and Development; Career Readiness, Adult Learning and Education Options; Assessment Data and Accountability Management; and Special Education.

In policy roles in California, Barley was a liaison between the business community, local school districts, county offices of education, school boards and local, state and federally elected officials. His work included supporting the development and passage of key California education legislation, district parcel taxes and bond measures.

“Throughout Brett’s career, he has demonstrated excellence and leadership both in the classroom and in the community. The caliber of experience he brings with him is a game changer for our district, our city and for the collective experiences of our students, teachers and classified staff,” said Dixon Unified School District Board President Julian Cuevas.

Said Barley “Dixon Unified possesses all of the ingredients necessary to become one of California’s premier school districts. Dixon’s passionate and talented educators, dedicated staff, engaged families, and supportive community members are ready to help our students achieve their amazing potential. I am both humbled and excited by the opportunity to work with the Dixon community to make Dixon Unified a destination district for families and educators across our region.”

Barley has a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of San Diego and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. 

 New Superintendent Brett Barley, his wife Tracy, and their two sons are welcomed at last week's Dixon Unified School Board meeting. Pictured with the Barley family are student representative Kirsten Donovan, Jewel Fink and Julian Cuevas on the left with Regina Espinoza, John Gabby, and David Bowen on the right. Photo by Debra Dingman