DIXON, CA (MPG) - Students at Tremont Elementary and Gretchen Higgins Elementary Schools will have new Principals to greet when school starts Wednesday, August 10 for Dixon Unified School District.

There will also be 25 new teachers, one new School Psychologist, and one short term Campus Supervisor starting in the district as well.

At a recent School Board meeting Superintendent Brian Dolan explained the full interview process and reported to the small audience which included her family members that Georgina 'Gina' LLamas-Cruz is "eminently" qualified to serve as Gretchen Higgins Principal.

"She has a teaching background and extensive administrative background. Her life's story matches the experiences of many of our students and families which has great value. She is bilingual as well. So as we start our 2-way bilingual immersion program I feel we have a perfect fit for a leader at that school site," he added.

She lives in Dixon and three of her four children have already graduated from Dixon High School and the last one will be starting Gretchen Higgins this fall. Dolan mentioned that one of her children became a Dixon Police Officer.

"Thank you for your vote of confidence. I want to express my gratitude for the opportunity to serve our community through being the Principal of Gretchen Higgins," Llamas-Cruz said.

Treva Foster, the other new Principal will be replacing six-year Tremont Principal Tori Peterson who resigned to take a position in another District. She has 26 years experience in education in almost all grades but Kindergarten and is also a resident of Dixon.

"Her expertise in this community is really, really highly regarded" Dolan said who added that he and Nick Girimonte, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, had been talking to Foster about moving up to a Principal for at least the past several five years but the timing was not right in her family life but "now is." Foster thanked the Board for their vote of confidence.

Of the 25 new teachers, three will be at Gretchen Higgins Elementary: Nichole Beckius-3rd grade; Steven Haynes-Science Prep; and Michelle Samayoa-5th grade. The five at Tremont Elementary are Susan Peccianti-3rd grade; Sarah Portugal-Resource Special Program; Monica Robbins-1st grade; Victoria Sanguinetti-3rd grade; and Tara Weiand-2nd grade.

Dixon High School will get ten: Haley Blackwell-Life Science/Biology; Karen Dace- Special Ed; Julie Daseking-English; Kristen Gewecke-Special Ed; Alaina Gibbons-Math; Ana Gonzales-Social Science; Stephanie Keiso-Biology/Chemistry; Steven Khansefid-Ag; Biridiana Meza Luna-Math; and Mark Patena, PE.

The four at John Knight Middle School are Laura Burnett-ELD (English Language Development;) Erone Cao-Science; Tasha Storm-Science; and Lori With-Math. The three at Anderson Elementary are Cheryl Gabby-RTI (Response to Intervention;) Kayla Garcia-3rd Grade; and Justin McGrew-Kindergarten.

In other school news, it was announced that the first of a 2-phase Modernization Project was decided upon for a Full Site Design Survey of Anderson Elementary in the amount of $34,475. Dolan also updated on the DHS Agricultural buildings Project Phase II which included summer electrical work that will help get their livestock program up and running and greenhouse work that will be completed by the end of September. The "hold up" has been restroom requirements, Dolan said.

There are three seats open for the next School Board 4-year term that will be up for vote this November. Board President Caitlin O'Halloran will not seek re-election but Jewel Fink and Lloyd McCabe both will. Melissa Maseda and David Bowen's terms do not expire for another two years.

Dixon USD Governing Board meetings are held on the first and third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 600 East A Street and they are also held via Zoom.