Petaluma study session lays out $744 million facilities 'menu' and steps to implement bond projects

Petaluma City Schools trustees heard an overview of a district facilities master plan at a study session, where consultants described a 10–15 year roadmap of needed repairs, modernizations and new construction, with preliminary budgets totaling about $744,000,000.

The facilities master plan is intended as an informational, districtwide menu of projects rather than a prioritized schedule, presenters emphasized. "The facilities master plan will be a guiding changing document that will live with the district for over 10 years," said Amanda Bonoverte, the district's chief business official. The plan was developed from building‑by‑building assessments, department interviews and community workshops.

Ted Catlin of DTA, the district's architectural consultant, said teams assessed mechanical systems, roofing, paving, accessibility, playgrounds and site utilities and then grouped needs into logical projects to aid future design and budgeting. "We started to assemble a list of projects...and then preparing preliminary budgets," Catlin said, adding the $744 million figure is a rough order‑of‑magnitude across a long horizon and does not reflect board priorities.

Board members and staff repeatedly framed the master plan against current operating pressures: a trustee reminded the public the district is facing a budget crisis after a recent local measure failed and noted bond funds cannot be used for staff or routine program costs. The consultants and staff said bond implementation — the phase that actually selects and schedules projects for construction and funding — is a separate process that will follow additional due diligence and the board's prioritization.

Consultants also outlined the budgeting approach used to build project estimates: direct construction costs plus indirect "soft" costs (design, testing, agency fees), escalation and contingencies. Catlin said budgets assume escalation because some projects may happen years from now and contingencies will cover unknowns discovered during design and construction.

What comes next: the board will receive the bond implementation plan in more detail at a later meeting and will be asked to consider procurement approaches and contract terms. The master plan itself is slated to return for further board review before any binding implementation decisions are made.

At the end of the session the board opened public comment, where parents urged the district to prioritize perimeter fencing and controlled access at McNear Elementary as part of the bond implementation discussion.