|
Directories |
|
|
Board of Education Directory
 |
Matt Monica
“Matt” Monica served as a Board of Education member from 1981-1999 and in November 2004 was elected to a four-year term. Mr. Monica received his Bachelor of Arts degree and Master’s degree from California State University, Northridge and served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Mr. Monica served five years in the Riverside County School Boards Association; additionally served as a delegate and Director of Region 18A, CSBA (California School Boards Association) for six (6) years.
He has been employed at College of the Desert for the past thirty-two (32) years, serving as counselor, administrator and professor. Matt chairs the Scholarship Committee at COD and is known as a student advocate. He was honored by the students at COD as the recipient of the “Service to Students Award.” Matt is active in many community activities including Palm Desert Rotary Club, American Legion Post 519 and Boys & Girls Club of the Coachella Valley.
Mr. Monica was relected to a four-year term in November 2008 ending November 2012.
(760) 771-8752
Email
|
 |
Jim Koedyker
Mr. Koedyker received his Bachelor’s degree in Corrections from Western Oregon University in Monmouth, Oregon.
Mr. Koedyker is the Principal and Kindergarten teacher at Jordan Christian Academy. He has been a resident of Indio for 35 years. He and his wife Cherie have been married for 40 years and have 2 grown children, both graduates of Indio High School.
Mr. Koedyker is active in his church and community activities. He was elected to the Board of Education in 1992 and served until 2004. He served as Vice President, President and on a number of committees during that time. He was re-elected in 2006.
(760) 771-8751
Email
|
 |
Gary Tomak (President)
Mr. Tomak has served on the Desert Sands Unified School District Board of Education since 1999. He has written numerous in-depth articles on successful schools and proven academic programs which have been published both locally and nationally.
He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Syracuse University in New York with a major in Finance. In 1993, he received his MBA from Claremont University in California.
Mr. Tomak is a veteran of the United States Air Force and has completed a twenty-five year career with the Federal Aviation Administration as an air traffic controller and supervisor at the Los Angeles Air Traffic Control Center. He also is a commercial pilot and has taught many years as an instrument flight instructor.
Locally, Mr. Tomak serves as a volunteer with several organizations including the Friends of the La Quinta Library. He continues to be a member of Claremont University’s Peter F. Drucker School of Management alumni board. Nationally, he is associated with the Center for Education Reform which advocates high standards, accountability, school choice, and proven instructional programs.
(760) 771-8753
Email
|
 |
Michael Duran (Vice President/Clerk)
Mr. Duran is an active educator who has worked for Desert Sands Unified at Indio High School and John Glenn Middle School, as a teacher, counselor, swim and water polo coach. While an employee, Mr. Duran was twice elected President of the Desert Sands Teachers Association. He was elected to his current position on the Desert Sands Board of Education in November of 2006. His term expires in 2010. Mr. Duran is a graduate of the University of Southern California earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the Entrepreneurial School of Business and has a Master’s Degree from Azusa Pacific University, earning his Pupil Personnel Certificate in counseling. Mr. Duran has resided in La Quinta, California for 22 years. He has three daughters. All attend public schools in Desert Sands. Mr. Duran is currently employed as a counselor in the Palm Springs Unified School District.
(760) 771-8755
Email
|
 |
Donald B. Griffith
Donald B. Griffith is a formed school teacher with nine years middle school teaching experience. He taught mathematics at Palm Desert Middle School from 1989 to 1992. While teaching in Los Angeles County, Mr. Griffith taught Mathematics, Science, English, and Physical Education.
Mr. Griffith has been an attorney since 1992 and in private practice since 1995. Mr. Griffith has been on the Desert Bar Association Board of Trustees since 2001 and will be president of the Desert Bar Association beginning in October 2008.
Prior to being appointed to the Desert Sands Unified School District Board, he served on the Washington Charter School Governing Board from 2000 to 2002. Mr. Griffith has participated as a coach in both the Palm Desert Youth Sports League and Palm Desert Youth Soccer League. He also volunteers his time as a regional and state judge for Odyssey of the Mind academic competitions.
Mr. Griffith has a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University Fullerton and a Juris Doctor degree from California Southern Law School.
He and wife, Donna, are residents of Bermuda Dunes along with their son, Bryce.
(760) 771-8750
Email
|
 |
Alana Dunbar
Student Board Member, Palm Desert High School
|
 |
Lizette Mendoza
Student Board Member, Amistad High School
|
 |
Kirsten Morgan
Student Board Member, Shadow Hills High School
|
 |
Daniel Norton Luna
Student Board Memeber, La Quinta High School
|
 |
Esteban Verdugo
Student Board Member, Indio High School
|
 |
Dr. Sharon P. McGehee, Superintendent
Greetings, I am Sharon P. McGehee, Ph.D., superintendent of Desert Sands Unified School District. I am thrilled to be associated with this wonderful school district and its exemplary staff. I consider it an honor and privilege to serve the students, parents, and the community.
I was born and raised in Southern California and have been in public education for over 30 years. I hold degrees from the University of California, Santa Barbara, California State University, Fullerton, and a Doctorate in Education from Claremont Graduate University.
In Desert Sands Unified School District, we understand our responsibility to transform the lives of the students we serve through inspired teaching and learning. Our emphasis on providing educational choices creates a unique ability to influence the future for our students, our community, and our nation. We are passionate about doing whatever it takes to prepare our students to be successful and contributing citizens of the 21st century.
Our website will provide access to information about exciting programs and the many wonderful achievements of our students and staff. We believe that education is a partnership between the home and school. I welcome your comments and suggestions and want you to feel part of your student’s educational team.
Thank you for making your child’s education a priority. Please be assured that your child’s quality education is the number one priority for the Board of Education and me.
(760) 771-8502
Email
|
|