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.

 

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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 ensure that they are in compliance with state mandates, best practices, and newly passed state laws.

 

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David Gaboni, President  

 

Mr. Gaboni has served on the Board since 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 a 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.

                                                                                                                                                                 

 

Mindy Hunt, Member 

 

Ms. Hunt joined the Board in 2024. She was born and raised in Montana, moved to Utah during high school, and received her bachelor's degree in business management from Western Governor’s University while living and working in Blythe, California. She has worked in Business and Finance for over 20 years in the Utah County Health Department, Palo Verde Hospital District, and the Town of Quartzsite. She made King City her home in 2018 and serves as a Business Services Analyst II for Greenfield Union School District. She has been serving as secretary of her classified union chapter and is currently a member of the Learner-Centered Collaborative team at GUSD.