Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) welcomes Jeffrey Dixon as Assistant Superintendent, Chief Business Officer, and Tracy Knibb as Assistant Superintendent, Chief Human Resources Officer. Both Dixon and Knibb have extensive leadership experience, a well-known commitment to student-centered decision-making, and a proven ability to foster excellence across school operations.  

JEFFREY DIXON

Dixon brings 15 years of educational leadership experience, most recently serving as Acting Superintendent of Schools for Laguna Beach Unified School District, where he provided critical stability and guidance during a transition period. 

While serving as Acting Superintendent, Dixon also continued in his role as Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, a position he’s had since 2017.  He is known as a student-focused leader, recognizing that operational decisions should support positive learning environments. He is widely respected for his integrity, sound judgment, and strong relationships with colleagues and the communities that he serves.

Dixon brings a wealth of expertise in leading facilities departments across three school districts. He is deeply committed to operational excellence, with a strong track record in facilities maintenance, risk management, and safety planning. His leadership has played a pivotal role in creating school environments that are safe, efficient, and supportive of student success. With experience in a community-funded district like ours, he has a strong understanding of the importance of community trust, accountability, and the responsible management of public resources.

“We are excited to have Mr. Dixon join the Newport-Mesa team. He brings a wealth of experience and a proven ability to navigate complex challenges with clarity, purpose, and a focus on student success. His wealth of experience and strong background in operational efficiencies will be key to ensuring a smooth transition and strengthening stability throughout our District,” said NMUSD Superintendent Dr. Wesley Smith.

Dixon obtained his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Sacramento State University and a master’s degree in business management from the University of Phoenix.  

TRACY KNIBB

With more than 23 years of leadership experience in public education, Knibb brings a proven track record of fostering relationships, while ensuring operational compliance and connecting personnel decisions to instructional priorities and student needs. 

Currently, Knibb serves as Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources (HR) for the Orange Unified School District. Prior to this role, she served as Executive Director of HR, as well as a middle school assistant principal and principal. She also has experience as a teacher and program coordinator.

“Ms. Knibb brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of what it takes to support and sustain a thriving educational community. Her proven leadership in building strong teams, and aligning human resources strategies with student-focused goals will be invaluable as we continue to prioritize academic excellence and staff development across our district,” said Superintendent Dr. Wesley Smith.  

In her role as Assistant Superintendent, HR, Knibb oversees all aspects of the district’s human resources functions, including recruitment, credentialing, labor relations, employee performance, staffing, and compliance. She has led negotiations, guided policy development, and implemented systems to improve organizational effectiveness. 

As Executive Director of Human Resources, she focused primarily on classified personnel, further broadening her expertise across the full spectrum of HR functions. She also teaches Educational Law and Policy in the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential program at the Orange County Department of Education.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English education from California State University, Long Beach, and her Master of Science in Curriculum, Design, and Instruction from Walden University.  

Dixon and Knibb will officially join NMUSD on July 1, 2025.