A small matter of semantics in this query...I note the term Unified in the school district name. Is that common usage in California?
FWIW, here in Texas, nearly every school district uses a name such as Katy Independent School District.
Not implying that one nomenclature (or state) is better than the other, of course... :-)
I’m not from California, and “Unified” isn’t common any place I’ve lived. I’ve been in areas where they commonly use the term “Central,” though. I’m not sure “Unified” means the same as “Independent.” I hope you get an answer.
The term 'unified' in California school language means that the district has all K-12 grades within the district. Some California school districts contain only elementary grades, and some contain only high school grades. Those districts do not use the word unified.
California school districts are not determined solely by political division, ie, they are not solely determined by the city or county geography. It's a mishmash.
For instance, the middle/high school district where my husband taught took their students from about 6 local elementary districts.