New Dixon Schools Superintendent Brett Barley shared about his path leading him to Dixon at a recent meeting.

DIXON, CA (MPG) - New Dixon Unified School District Superintendent Brett Barley has only become more diversified in knowledge and skills as he wound his way toward a career in school administration. After being raised by both parents in teaching and school administration, it was likely he’d pursue education.

“The Barley family barbecues were always ‘teacher talk’ so it made sense for a small-town Michigan kid in search of better work to get into teaching,” Barley shared at a recent meeting about his path that led him to Dixon and why he thinks he can make it a “Destination District.” This father of two elementary-age sons seems to have a gift for understanding the complex and finding positive, workable solutions.

From Teacher to Law

Barley’s list of occupational successes may be short term but using today’s technology and with a seemingly strong quest to solve problems, he’s made strides in double-time.  After earning his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, he taught a couple years then earned a law degree from the University of San Diego that would ultimately prepare him for a job as a Public-School Superintendent

In law, for example, he was researching legal questions and writing legal memorandum for criminal felony cases; being a Governmental Agency Overseer for the Center of Public Interest Law; and being a research assistant for the book titled Racial Justice in the Age of Obama.

He also worked for the Santa Clara County’s District Attorney’s office as a Post Bar Law Clerk as a member of the gang and juvenile units where he spearheaded a research project on juvenile competency.

The Brett Barley family poses for a photo.

Law to Education Policy

For two years after that, he put his energy into the role of Education Policy Director for the Silicon Valley Leadership Group and focused on education and health policy at the local, state, and federal level working to spur reform. He coordinated with local education service providers, foundations, and businesses to build a 16-million-dollar Educare facility.

He played a significant role in advocating for and passing SB 1381, a bill that changed the kindergarten age requirement date from December to September giving the youngest, most at-risk learners an additional year of kindergarten.

Policy to Superintendent

For five years, he served as superintendent of a K-12 District in Delano, a small ag town with low statistics for college admissions. He researched and discovered a nearby district had 88-percent and then facilitated internships and mentorships for the Delano students.

Because he and his wife, also a teacher, have a child with autism, Barley was then exposed to a whole new tangent of the education system.

“I wanted to be that lawyer that came in with the big stick and tells the state ‘you got’ta get this right,’” he admitted.

He read about a case Williams vs. California where parents of low-income students were suing because their children were not getting taught state standards. “Because of a group of parents, they were able to make change all across the state,” he said and that is inspiring.

A posterboard of the new Superintendent was made by School Board Trustee Jewel Fink, who organized his presentation for the Dixon Women's Improvement Club.

Dixon Checked All Boxes

When he and his wife researched where to get support for raising their son with autism, they were led to the MIND Institute in Sacramento, so he began seeking work in Sacramento.

Before becoming Dixon’s choice for Superintendent, he led the Montessori Project, a system of public schools serving some 3,000 students across the greater Sacramento region where he managed a $40 million annual budget and oversaw the growth of student scores on the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress.

Barley said he really enjoyed his work there but there are no sports.

“In 2001, we asked ourselves what is the school district that checks all our boxes, and it was Dixon. Then it was just a matter of waiting for Brian Dolan to retire,” he said with a laugh. “It has now been two months and ten days in the community, and it has blown my mind. People are really excited and passionate to support DUSD and it also has great staff members. A wealth of opportunities exists for us if we have the passion and grit to pursue it.”

He added that he didn’t like it when people asked him about his vision.

“It shouldn’t be about one person. The district is to serve the community and the children. [A vision} should be what we collectively believe.”