Dr. Deneen Guss, County Superintendent of Schools
Proposed Plans and Recommendation
South Monterey County School District Unification Ballot Question
On November 3, 2026, voters in South Monterey County communities will consider a ballot question regarding the proposed unification of local school districts. The proposal would reorganize three existing school districts into two unified school districts serving students from transitional kindergarten through 12th grade.
The Monterey County Office of Education has developed this webpage to provide the community with factual information about the proposed unification, including what the proposed reorganization would and would not do, frequently asked questions, important voter information, and additional resources. MCOE encourages community members to review the information provided to better understand the proposal before the November 3, 2026, election.
MCOE does not advocate for or against this ballot question.
What the Proposed Unification Does and Does Not Do
What the Proposed Unification Does
Creates two new unified school districts.
The proposal would reorganize three existing districts—Greenfield Union Elementary School District, King City Union Elementary School District, and South Monterey County Joint Union High School District—into two new TK-12 unified districts: Greenfield Unified School District in the city of Greenfield and King City Joint Unified School District in the city of King City
Brings elementary and high school governance together
Each unified district would serve students from transitional kindergarten through 12th grade under one articulated educational program, one calendar, and one locally elected governing board.
Requires new elected unified district boards
Voters would elect governing board members to represent the new unified districts.
Provides a transition period
If approved by voters, all school district boards would work together through a transition period to establish the new unified districts, including dividing the assets, liabilities of the high school district, and addressing staffing and operations.
Allows current and newly elected board members to continue supporting students during the transition
Individuals elected to existing district boards and new unified district boards may serve in both capacities during the transition period.
Requires a fair division of the assets and liabilities of the high school district between the two new unified school districts under existing statutes, an agreement negotiated among the existing school districts, and potentially in arbitration, if necessary.
What the Proposed Unification Does Not Do
Does not close schools
Existing school sites would continue to operate and serve students in their communities.
Does not change where students attend school
Current attendance patterns would continue.
Does not eliminate local representation
The new unified districts would have locally elected governing boards responsible for representing their communities.
Does not reduce school funding
Funding would continue to be determined according to state and federal laws and funding formulas.
Does not create one large school district
The proposal would create two separate unified school districts.
Does not permit Greenfield to unify without King City portion also unifying
The Feasibility Study concluded that both elementary districts must unify because unifying only Greenfield school district would harm educational programs at the high school district, which would lose about half its enrollment and funding, but not proportionate expenses.
Does not happen immediately
Implementation would take 18 months of planning and coordination before the new unified districts begin operation.
Will not harm educational programs
The Feasibility Study determined that elementary and high school educational programs would continue and not be harmed.
Will not terminate classroom teachers or other staff
Classroom teachers and non-certificated staff have employment rights protected by law.
Will not impose the responsibility for the high school’s State emergency loan on the new unified districts.
The high school district has paid off the emergency loan.