Who supports school bonds in Sonoma County

On Tuesday, voters will decide whether 10 school districts in Sonoma County can borrow a combined $584.2 million in school bonds to make what they call critical upgrades to their schools.

Typically, bonds are required for large-scale projects such as new construction or building renovations. If approved by voters, the district would borrow money from a financial institution that would be repaid by taxpayers with annual interest over the life of the bond.

Several bond support campaigns are supported by community members and organizations who have donated thousands of dollars. No organization appears to have reported raising money in opposition to any of the bond measures.

Here’s what their latest campaign finance data shows.

Yes for activities Z and AA: Petaluma City Schools

The Yes on Measure Z and AA committees have combined their support for two bond issues that will go toward updating K-12 schools in the county’s second-largest district.

The Petaluma City Schools District is seeking $70 million to repair elementary schools.

The cost of repairing the high schools is estimated at $159 million.

Since the campaign’s inception, the campaign has received $60,400 in support, mostly from individual donations from union members.

Of that amount, $27,732.47 came from contributions from electricians in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers local PAC number 551.

Two law firms contributed $5,500 to support both bonds. Orbach Huff and Henderson, Los Angeles child welfare lawyers, contributed $4,000, and Dannis Wolliver Kelley, a San Francisco law firm representing public schools and education, contributed $1,000.

The commission spent $9,731 on signage, campaign design and mailing fees split between marketing activities for both activities.

Healdsburg Elementary School Improvement Committee – Yes on R

They are seeking $49.5 million for building repairs and classroom upgrades at Healdsburg Elementary Schools.

A total of $16,000 was contributed to the support campaign, including $5,000 from Waterworks Industries, Inc, a Windsor-based water services company; $6,000 from Lathrop Construction Associates, Inc. of Benicia and ultimately $5,000 from Quattrocchi Kwok Architects, Inc. from Santa Rosa, who also contributed to Action V to improve Windsor schools.

They haven’t spent any of their donations yet.

Support for Action Windsor V: Windsor Unified School District

They are asking for $122.50 for various school improvements. .

The support committee received $15,000 in cash, including $10,000 from Petaluma-based builders Artnz and $5,000 from Quattrocchi Kwok Architects, Inc. from Santa Rosa.

They spent just over $5,000 on large-scale marketing, such as signage, with Chico-based Creative Composition Inc.

Yes on Committee on Action K: Piner-Olivet School District

The district is seeking $29.5 million for school repairs.

The support campaign received $10,250 in cash contributions: $250 from the Piner-Olivet Educators Association, $5,000 from CA+Sa Studio, Inc., a Napa planning and construction firm, and another $5,000 from Van Pelt Construction Services from Fairfield.

They haven’t spent any of their donations yet.

Report For America corps member Adriana Gutierrez covers education and child care issues for The Press Democrat. She can be reached at [email protected].