County committee adopts tentative plans to reorganize South Monterey school districts

The Monterey County Committee on School District Organization voted March 18 to adopt tentative plans recommending the reorganization of three South County districts into two unified districts and to proceed to public hearings and final transmittal to the State Board of Education.

Special counsel Marguerite Leone introduced the packet and told members the committee could amend the document before hearings. "These items are tentative. They can change in your final recommendation," she said. The motion to adopt the tentative plans was made by Jaime Fernandez and seconded by Sandra Ocampo; the motion passed on a voice vote.

The tentative recommendation calls for creating two unified districts—one centered on Greenfield and one centered on King City—while allowing several small elementary districts to request opt-outs. Consultant Christie White said the feasibility study concluded that "dissolving all 3 districts creating 2 new unified districts is feasible and would substantially meet all the criteria." The packet and presentation include analyses of student counts, assessed valuation, and program continuity.

Adoption of tentative plans is a procedural step that authorizes public hearings and completion of the administrative record to send to the State Board of Education, which will hold separate hearings and make the final decision. Marguerite told the committee the earliest State Board scheduling would be no sooner than April 23 and that the process must be completed in time for the State Board's July 2026 meeting.

The committee's action does not itself effect consolidation; it forwards a tentative plan and recommendation to public hearings and the State Board for final review and decision.