$9 million Wheatland school bond measure on ballot

Architects from Folsom and a San Francisco law firm contributed a total of $9,000 toward Measure U, the $9 million bond measure before voters in the Wheatland Union High School District.

School district trustee Johnna Bartholomew, who opposes the bond, isn't bothered by the $7,500 contributed by WLC Architects or the $1,500 from the Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth law firm.

"People can give money to whatever they want to," she said. "That's how it goes."

Bartholomew opposes the bond, which would pay for work at the more than 50-year-old school, butnot because she doesn't believe repairs and improvements are needed.

"The school is falling apart," she said.

But she thinks the school district should seek voluntary contributions from residents.

"This is what's sad about government," the Wheatland trustee said, "the only way we seem to know how to fund anything is take money from people involuntarily via taxes."

Robert H. Coe, Jr. a former Wheatland school board president, supports the bond.

"It's something that needs to happen," he said. "I hope it passes."

The repairs to be funded includes "the same things you have to do if you have a 50-year-old house."

Deteriorating plumbing, leaky roofs and inadequate electrical systems are among projects — along with modernizing classrooms to provide technology to support academics at the high school whose mascot is a pirate.

WLC Architects and the San Francisco law firm could not be reached for comment. Their contributions follow the $25 Coe, treasurer of the Pirate Pride Committee — Yes on Measure H, put in "to get the bank to open the account."

He said some scattered opposition has arisen to the bond but that he's fairly optimistic the measure will pass.

The bond needs to win 55 percent approval on Tuesday.

Bartholomew said a low-key campaign by bond supporters is part of a political strategy to avoid activating anti-bond sentiment.

Plumas Lake is part of the Wheatland high school district but the measure's fate likely is with the voters in Wheatland, she said.

The newer the neighborhood, Bartholomew said, the fewer the people who are registered to vote.

While the two communities have about the same number of residences, long-time Wheatland residents will dominate the vote, she added.

CONTACT Ryan McCarthy at rmccarthy@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4780. Find him on Facebook at /ADrmccarthy or on Twitter at @ADrmccarthy.