DIXON, CA (MPG) - Three large bowls were filled with apples after a long line of Dixon Unified School District (DUSD) teachers placed apples, one or two at a time, in front of the Dixon Unified School Board to represent 96 teachers who have left Dixon for higher pay in the past four years.

Each apple represented a teacher by name, when and why they left, and from what school. Dixon Unified School District President Julian Cueva respectfully called for order a few times so that the board could continue with their meeting.

Nearing the two-year mark is the conflict between teachers and the district over a “mass exodus” of teachers from Dixon, blamed on local salaries failing to keep up with surrounding districts.

“At this point, the last public offer to the district was 13 percent for two years and they are at 10 percent,” said Dixon Teacher Association President Wes Besseghini. “We are negotiating for two years, which was last year and this year. Their offer still makes us the lowest paid district in the area, including Winters and Esparto.”

Besseghini was asked about the impact of the new Superintendent Brett Barley on the conflict.

“He is stepping into (problems) created by the administrations and school board before him, unfortunately, but the problem hasn’t changed. We have to see a shift in how this district prioritizes its budget,” Besseghini said. “The students are the ones who are really being penalized because we cannot keep quality educators in front of them.

The two groups now go into what is called “Fact Finding.” although it is more of a one-on-one looking at the numbers and seeing how they can meet a workable solution for the district’s budget and the teacher’s demand, Besseghini explained. They are currently in the process of determining how and when to assemble the panel, which consists of a representative from the district, one from the Dixon Teacher’s Association and one selected by a Public Relations Board. Realistically, it will be after winter break. As of press time, no date has been set.

The panel will then write their recommendation either yes or no or somewhere in between. Once that recommendation goes to the school board and also to the Dixon Teacher’s Association, they can accept or impose their last offer. Teachers, if dissatisfied, could strike.

Below is the Teacher Negotiations Update from Nov. 22:

Dixon Unified School District makes a Post Mediation Offer to the Dixon Teacher’s Association which includes a 10% salary increase, a $2,000 one-time bonus, increases to Masters and BCLAD Stipends by 68% to $2,000, and Increases Special Education Stipend to 10% of a Teacher’s Base Salary.

The Dixon Unified School District and Dixon Teacher’s Association held the third mediation meeting with the state mediator on Nov. 13 and exchanged proposals but did not reach an agreement. As such, the state mediator released Dixon Unified School District and Dixon Teacher’s Association to Fact Finding.  Notwithstanding, and in the interest of trying to reach agreement as soon as possible, the district presented the Dixon Teacher’s Association with a salary proposal Post Mediation on Nov. 22.

The district’s Post Mediation Proposal includes the following:

1. 2023-24 6% salary increase

2. 2023-24 $2,000 one-time bonus payment

3. 2024-25 4% salary increase

4. Starting July 1, 2025, stipend increases for Masters Degrees from $1,191.38 to $2,000 (68% increase)

5. Starting July 1, 2025, stipend increases for teachers working in an assignment that requires a BCLAD from $1,191.38 to $2,000 (68% increase)

6. Starting July 1, 2025, stipend increases for teachers working in an assignment that requires a Special Education Credential from $1,191.38 to 10% of a Teacher’s Base Salary

7. Starting July 1, 2025, stipend addition of National Board Certification at $2,000

8. Allowing for stacking of the stipends listed above, starting July 1, 2025.

The state Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2023-24 was 8.22% (locally funded COLA was 6.32%), and for 2024-25 is 1.07% (locally funded COLA was -.48%).