A Place Called Dixon --Vintage Blog re-post from 2018

A Place Called Dixon

 by 

Vicki Bishop-Finger

This is Dixon High School circa 1960, shortly after the building’s completion.  A site atop a hill overlooking the town of Dixon and the surrounding area was chosen.  Imagine the pride the community must have felt as basically everyone who passed in and out of town noticed the new mid-century modern style building set as the backdrop for the town.

My mother was a junior in high school that year; she later graduated from Dixon as did her three siblings, two daughters and one grandson.  All of these members of one family crossed the same stage to receive their diplomas before making their own places in the world.   I am not alone in a community where many families have had generations that attended Dixon Schools, and many of those families hope to continue the tradition. 

Our schools are the cornerstone of our community.  They serve as our largest employer and play host to most community events.  Many of those graduates who have moved on in the world, enjoy coming back to see where they attended school.  Some making a pilgrimage for thousands of miles just to see their senior picture hanging on the wall, sometimes brining their children and telling stories of their days spent there.

Time is a funny thing, how it seems to accelerate the older that you get, and how it once moved so slowly waiting for that 3:09 pm bell to ring.  One thing about time is that never fails to bring about change.  Change can be a great thing when it is an investment in your community and children’s future.  

Many updates and upgrades are needed for our school campuses.  The designs are somewhat antiquated and functionally obsolete.  Anyone who has attended a homecoming or community event knows that the high school gymnasium, cafeteria and kitchen are in desperate need of expansion.  All of the buildings have an interior office location, and for safety purposes, the offices need to be relocated to an entrance/exit area.  Many of the buses lack covered storage making maintenance and upkeep more difficult. 

Proposition K.I.D.S.  is a plan to keep improving Dixon Schools. These changes as well as other are a part of a proposal that will help update our schools and keep them safe.  The best part is that there will be no new tax increase.  This will be a continuation of an existing bond issue.

There are various reasons why people decide to reside in and around the Dixon community.  The beauty of the landscape, affordability, family, and location near economic centers are some of the top reasons.  It is important that we continue to make updates to our school campuses not just for safety purposes, but adequate facilities attract potential residents, and aid in the retention of those who currently reside here.

Anyone who has ever lived in the Dixon community knows that it is famous for taking care of its own; stepping up when there is a need, a hometown place coming together to work the problem.

Now, I go back to a time when there was a place called Dixon with a school on a hill that was the heart of the town.  It was a place where community came together and built a school because they cared about their children’s future.  It was a time when people felt that a good school was a reflection of the soul of the community and when education was more important than many material things.

My mother passed away about five years ago as have many other of the students that attended that first year.  I wish that I could take her on a tour of the schools once the updates are complete.  She would be so proud that our community has invested in itself once again.

Please vote YES for Proposition K.I.D.S. on April 3^rd.  For additional information regarding Proposition K.I.D.S. visit the 2018 Bulldog Improvement Committee Facebook page.