12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JULY 16-22, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com Since Greenfield High School opened its doors in 1999, residents have been asking for all of its TK-12 schools to be part of the same district. Nearly 30 years later, this goal is one step closer to becoming a reality. The California State Board of Education unanimously approved district consolidation in South Monterey County on July 7 and directed the Monterey County Office of Education to hold an election on Nov. 3. Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Deneen Guss says they want the process to move forward as soon as possible since uncertainty hinders district planning and makes it challenging to retain and recruit personnel. Currently, there are three school districts: Greenfield Union and King City Union, both TK-8, and South Monterey County Joint Union School District, which operates four high schools, including Greenfield and King City high schools. Now it is up to the voters to decide if they want to merge three school districts into two TK-12 school districts. Voters in Greenfield and King City, as well as nearby rural communities such as San Lucas and San Ardo that feed students to King City High School, will decide. The unification petition has been ongoing for the past decade and has faced some challenges along the way. An effort failed in 2018 after the Monterey County Committee on School District Organization rejected the idea, citing financial challenges. It reached the state level and gained traction in recent years with community meetings and presentations with the impacted districts. It was denied once again in 2025 at the state level, citing similar reasons as the county committee, such as unpaid loans from the South Monterey County district. In July, however, the tide changed after the consolidation idea expanded to include three districts, instead of two, adding King City Unified. (Guss says Greenfield residents have shown strong support for district merging but in King City response has been quieter.) “It’s more fiscally responsible to have one district where we can really align all of the resources to the needs that our students have,” GUSD Superintendent Laura Cortez says. Guss, who moved to the area when Soledad and Gonzales school districts underwent a unification process, says there are several benefits including all students having the same calendar. “You don’t have to readjust to new boards, new policies, new schedules,” Guss says, noting that sometimes parents make inquiries to the wrong school districts. If voters pass consolidation, the process would take 18 months. During that time, the parties will negotiate division of assets, liabilities and staffing. Classified staff members would be guaranteed to keep their positions for at least two years, Guss adds. The new districts would operate starting the 2028-2029 school year under new names Greenfield Unified School District and King City Joint Unified School District, eliminating SMCJUSD. School Bell Voters will decide if they want school district consolidation in South County. By Celia Jiménez Greenfield Unified Superintendent Laura Cortez supports transitioning from three districts to two. “It’s going to allow us to create a cohesive learning program for our students,” she says. NEWS “We can really align all of the resources.” DANIEL DREIFUSS (831) 424-9003 1135 Westridge Pkwy, Salinas www.OasisCharterSchool.org An experience as unique as your child NOW ENROLLING! Oasis is a tuition-free Charter school that serves K-6th Grade. We feature enrichment and speciality classes including art, music and drama. Oasis is a non-profit public school not affiliated with any religion. If your child doesn’t fit the traditional model, try Oasis! sport coats soft coats outerwear shirting sweaters trousers carmel plaza carmel-by-the-sea new fall arrivals “I brought my Subaru to Hartzel on advice of a friend and I was so pleased with the service & attention I got from them. Not only finished on time, but under the estimate I was given. Very rare these days. So pleased with the whole experience & great peace of mind knowing it was done correctly. Highly recommend this guy.” —David F., Seaside 2/14/19 510 California Avenue | Sand City | 394.6002 hartzelautomotive.com EXPERT SERVICE WHEN YOU NEED IT. Subaru Mazda Lexus Infiniti Saab vintage MG SCHEDULE YOUR NEXT SERVICE ONLINE TODAY
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