Jenni Klose, three newcomers take lead in Santa Rosa school board race

Incumbent Jenni Klose and three newcomers - Laurie Fong, Ed Sheffield and Evelyn Anderson - held leads early Wednesday in the race to fill four Santa Rosa City School board seats.

With 179 of 179 precincts reporting, Fong, the former principal at Montgomery High, led with 23.4 percent, followed by Klose at 20.1 percent. Sheffield, a legislative staffer, held 15.6 percent and Anderson, parent of a Maria Carrillo High student, had 15.4 percent.

Incumbent Laura Gonzalez and challenger Caroline Bañuelos trailed the pack, with 14.2 percent and 11.3 percent, respectively.

“It's been a learning experience, and I have loved every minute of it,” said Fong, a teacher of 22 years. “I am gratified and humbled.”

Klose, an attorney, was elected to school board in 2012.

“I was just telling my niece that local government makes so much more of a difference in our everyday lives than our federal government,” Klose said. “I really feel positive about the local government results, and I really feel appreciative of the confidence the voters have in me after my first term.”

Two seats opened on the board when longtime school board members Donna Jeye and Larry Haenel decided not to run for reelection.

The board oversees the county's largest school district. Once elected, the new board must begin implementing a plan to fix the city's ailing campuses - estimated to need $1.2 billion in maintenance and technology upgrades.

The board must also prioritize $229 million in bond dollars, passed by voters in 2014, while grappling with pressure from parents and staff. The bond money will fall far short of the amount needed to address the district's crippling needs.