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For teachers and administrators in the Petaluma City Schools district, Election Day was a waiting game.
“I’m cautiously optimistic about today’s election results,” Superintendent Matthew Harris said Tuesday. He helped place Measure I – a $129-per-year parcel tax – on the ballot to help the district weather a $5 million shortfall and maintain competitive teacher salaries.
If approved by two-thirds of voters living in the Petaluma Joint Union High School District, the tax would generate about $3 million annually for eight years. A similar measure last year fell short, earning 64% of the vote — a strong majority, but not enough to pass under California law.
“If there’s one thing I know about Petaluma,” Harris said, “it’s that we show up for our schools, especially when it matters most.”
Measure I shares the ballot with Proposition 50, a statewide initiative to redraw California’s congressional districts in response to partisan gerrymandering in other states. At a Petaluma intersection near Lucchesi Park, a small group of residents waved “Yes on Prop. 50” signs to passing cars.
“Our president is a corrupt man trying to gerrymander districts in other states for his grievous intentions and we need as many seats in Congress as possible to stop that,” said Petaluma voter Harper Post, explaining her support for the proposition.
At the nearby voting center inside the Petaluma Community Center, inspector Rick Olejniczak said turnout had been steady since doors opened at 7 a.m. The site — along with another at Petaluma City Hall — had already been open for early voting before Election Day.
He estimated about 30 voters had cast ballots daily and another 30 had stopped by to drop them off in recent days. Besides Proposition 50, Measure I – which he described as “a pocketbook issue” – had also driven local voters to the polls, he said.
“We are absolutely hopeful,” Petaluma City Schools board member Ryan Williams said of the measure’s passage. “We know it’s going to be close, two-thirds votes always are. We just have to see results as they come out tonight.”
As of 4 p.m. Tuesday, early returns were not yet available.
“Whatever the outcome, I’m proud of the care and commitment this community continues to show for our students, teachers and staff, and schools,” Harris said.
Williams said recent rallies across district campuses brought out marching bands, cheer squads and community supporters to build excitement for the measure. He credited local leaders, including Petaluma City Council members, Assemblymember Damon Connolly and state Sen. Mike McGuire, for backing the effort.
Voting is a civic duty and a way for residents to make their voices heard, said voter Audrey Haglund as she dropped off her ballot Tuesday afternoon.
“I think it’s important to vote every chance you get, especially during these challenging times,” she said.
Press Democrat staff writer Paulina Pineda contributed to this report.