Dixon Public Schools’ board vice president will be leaving area

Board vice president is resigning because of family relocation

DIXON — Rachael Gehlbach, vice president of the Dixon Public Schools board of education, told the board that she will be resigning in May.

Her family is moving out of the district, she said.

Later, she explained that her husband, Tom Gehlbach, a physician at KSB Hospital in Dixon, was accepting a position at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. Rachael Gehlbach’s own business, a yoga studio, has been closed during the pandemic.

“It’s been an honor to be on the board,” she said. “Sad and sorry to be leaving my term early.”

Gehlbach has another year left unfulfilled.

“We are exceedingly sad to find out she is leaving us,” Superintendent Margo Empen said.

Gehlbach served as the moderator for the community engagement committee that just completed its survey of area residents about the start time issue.

The plan is to post the board vacancy by March 17 with candidate qualifications. Interested individuals can submit their application and letter of interest to the board president by March 25.

The board will review applicants March 28 to April 1, interviewing the applicants in the following two weeks. The plan is to select a candidate by April 20 and will be seated at the May 18 meeting.

The board also paused to acknowledge the retirement of Jane Gascoigne, the district student information coordinator. Her last day is July 1.

Empen said that Gascoigne is responsible for student data, such as that used to ensure that students are assigned to bus routes. Gasgoigne has agreed to provide training for a replacement if the new hire is available before the end of the school year.

Other items on the personnel agenda:

Hires: Lara Whetsel as a crossing guard at Reagan Middle School, effective Feb. 16.

Resignations: Brianna Doyle, district reading specialist, Feb. 4; Ashley Siegman, first-grade teacher, Aug. 2; Melissa Anderson, band and choir director at Reagan Middle, July 1; Lorena Castro, office assistant, Feb. 11; Rhonda Sippel, part-time paraprofessional, end of school year.

Stipend resignation: Dee Dee Cibu, ticket manager, end of school year.

Coaching stipends: Andrew McKay, spring weightlifting; Kristen Carlson, girls soccer coach; Jacob Fane and Gary Davey, assistant girls soccer coach (split stipend); Evan Thorpe, track coach; Courtney Bond, assistant track coach; Matt Hamel, assistant track coach; Don Randick, assistant track coach; Alicia McPhillips, assistant track coach.

Volunteers: Sam Hildebrand, group interpretation; Grace Wadsworth, group interpretation; Skyler Connolly, assistant track coach; Maggie Love, assistant track coach; Mandy Dallas, assistant track coach.