Members
South Monterey County Joint Union High School District
Governance Team Mission Statement
We are a governance team of community individuals with collective authority that focuses on the continuous improvement of student achievement.
We set the direction for the district and establish policies that promote a culture of higher learning that ensures the education of all students.
We are responsible to the students, parents and community members within the South Monterey County Joint Union high School District.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Board of Trustees have all participated in the CSBA Masters of Governance training and became partners with the CSBA for ongoing training and policy mentoring. In addition, they routinely get educated in protocols and procedures.
The board uses the CSBA template for policies, which is revised every 3 months, to insure that they are in compliance with state mandates, best practices and newly passed state laws.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David Gaboni, President
Mr. Gaboni has served on the Board in 2015. He grew up in King City, attending Santa Lucia Elementary, San Lorenzo Middle School and graduating from King City High School. He attended Hartnell Community College and earned his Bachelor's Degree from Chapman University. He currently lives in Jolon, where he has lived his whole life. Mr. Gaboni has worked for the Monterey County Office of Education for 29 years, currently serving as a maintenance custodian. Mr. Gaboni is a member of the California School Board Association, President of the Monterey County School Board Association and member of the Monterey County Education Coalition.
Paul Dake, Member
Mr. Dake was first appointed to the Board in 2016. He was born in Fowler, CA and raised in Fresno. He graduated from Fresno High and earned his Bachelor's degree, Master's degree and several teaching credentials from CSU Fresno. He has been a resident of Greenfield since 1989. He was a middle school teacher for 31 years during which he taught multiple subjects until his retirement in 2017. Prior to joining the SMCJUHSD Board, Mr. Dake also served on the Greenfield Union School District Board. He is currently active in the Salinas Valley community church where he volunteers his expertise in video production and computer technology.
Leslie Girard, Clerk
Ms. Girard was first appointed to the Board in 2016. She grew up in the Los Angeles area before moving to Moro Bay where she graduated from Morro Bay High School. She earned an Associate Degree from Hartnell College. She has lived in King City since 1986. Ms. Girard has held several positions in the city, working at Keefer's Restaurant and Mee Memorial. She has been serving the King City Union School District as a Library Technician for 27 years. She serves her own school as School Council President and member of the leadership team and she is the president of her classified union chapter.
Linda Benway, Member
Ms. Benway joined the Board in 2019. She was born and raised in Madera and earned her bachelor's degree and teaching credential from Fresno State. Ms. Benway has called King City home since 1972. Over her 38 years of service to our district, she served as teacher, coach, ASB director and dean prior to joining the Board of Education after her retirement. Ms. Benway has served many community groups including the Southern Monterey County Foundation, 101 Elite Volleyball, KC adult softball, KC summer swim and pee wee baseball, King City recreation commission, and Sober Grad committees.
Dr. Lourdes Villarreal, Member
Dr. Villarreal joined the Board in 2022. She was born in Ciudad Acuna, Coahuila, Mexico and moved first to Texas and then California. She completed four years of school in King City, graduating from King City High School. She earned her Bachelor's degree and teaching credential at CSU Fresno. She later returned to school, earning a Ph.D. in Educational Studies from Claremont Graduate University. She has been a resident of Greenfield since 1990. Dr. Villarreal has a been an educator and administrator at the middle, high school, and college level. She is currently a Teacher on Special Assignment, supporting new teachers for the Greenfield Union School District. Dr. Villarreal currently serves on the Parks and Recreation committee for the city of Greenfield.