The Sonoma Valley Unified School District board at tonight’s meeting could take the first steps in asking voters to approve another General Obligation Bond for facilities.
The board will hear a presentation from Greg Isom of Isom Advisors, an East Bay company that handled the district’s bond refinancing earlier this year. Isom Advisors is a financial and campaign advisory firm that serves California school districts.
The firm assisted 14 out of 15 school districts pass GO Bond measures in June 2012, and helped 23 districts pass tax measures in November 2012.
In 2014, the firm helped 15 school districts pass GO Bond measures and helped another 27 pass tax measures.
“What we’re looking to do is hire a consultant,” said school district Superintendent Louann Carlomagno.
She said the firm would conduct surveys and assess community attitudes.
“We have a Master Plan for the schools,” Carlomagno said, “but we don’t have the funds.”
Voters approved a $40 million bond issue (Measure M) in 2010, but there are almost $224 million worth of projects district wide that are unfunded.
The high school would take a big chunk of that – it’s got $112.7 million worth of projects on its wish list – but there are also projects at the five elementary schools, two middle schools and two charter schools.
In a PowerPoint presentation, Isom will show the board that the district’s assessed valuation – the value of its property – has doubled since 2003, and now stands at $8.7 billion.
“In the last five years, the technology needs have grown exponentially – but so has the cost,” she said.
She pointed out that furniture alone could cost in excess of $4 million to outfit the estimated 280 classrooms in the district.
Furniture for the 21st-century classroom looks a lot different than 20th-century furniture. Gone are the clunky old desks. Now, there are tables that can be put together for different configurations, stand up desks, tall tables and chairs, and stackable chairs that can be moved easily.
Currently, the district has purchased some new furniture that is being tested at 19 classrooms across the Valley – four at Flowery; three at Prestwood; one each at El Verano, Sassarini and Dunbar; four at the high school; three at Altimira; and one each at Adele Harrison and Creekside.
“We’re testing different things,” she said, “seeing what works. And we’ll get feedback from both the teachers and the students.”
The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. today, Tuesday, Oct. 13, in the Community Meeting Room, 177 First St. W., Sonoma.
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