Who’s backing Sonoma County school bond measures

On Tuesday, voters will decide whether 10 school districts across Sonoma County can borrow a total of $584.2 million in school bonds to make what they describe as critical updates to their schools.

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

A handful of the bond support campaigns are backed by community members and organizations who’ve 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 filings show.

Yes on Measures Z and AA: Petaluma City Schools

The Yes on Measures Z and AA Committee combined its support for the two bond issues, which would be used to make updates to elementary and secondary schools in the county’s second biggest district.

The Petaluma City Schools district is requesting $70 million to repair its elementary schools.

The repairs to the high schools are estimated to cost $159 million.

The support campaign has received $60,400 since its inception, mostly from individual donations by those in labor unions.

Of that, $27,732.47 came in the form of sonal contributions from electricians in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 551 Issues PAC.

Two law firms have put up $5,500 in support of the two bonds. Orbach Huff and Henderson, child welfare attorneys out of Los Angeles contributed $4,000 and Dannis Wolliver Kelley, a law firm in San Francisco representing public schools and education contributed $1,000.

The committee has spent $9,731 in payments for signage, campaign design and mailers split between marketing for both measures.

Committee to Improve Healdsburg Elementary Schools – Yes on R

They are requesting $49.5 millionfor building fixes and classroom upgrades at Healdsburg elementary schools.

The support campaign has received a total of $16,000 in contributions, including $5,000 from Waterworks Industries, Inc, a water contractor based in Windsor; $6,000 from Lathrop Construction Associates, Inc. of Benicia and finally $5,000 from Quattrocchi Kwok Architects, Inc. out of Santa Rosa, who also has contributed to Measure V to improve Windsor schools.

They have yet to spend any of their donations.

Support of Windsor Measure V: Windsor Unified School District

They are requesting $122.5 for various school improvements. .

The support committee has received $15,000 in monetary contributions, including $10,000 from Artnz builders of Petaluma and $5,000 from Quattrocchi Kwok Architects, Inc. of Santa Rosa.

They’ve spent just over $5,000 on large-scale marketing like signage with a Chico-based company, Creative Composition Inc.

Yes on Measure K Committee: Piner-Olivet School District

The district is requesting $29.5 million for school repairs.

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

They have yet to spend any of their donations.

Report For America corps member Adriana Gutierrez covers education and child welfare issues for The Press Democrat. You can reach her at [email protected].