HUSD Bond: Are Contractors Chosen for Campaign Cash?

Three contractors set for lucrative jobs if in tomorrow's primary elections also made substantial contributions to the bond campaign, according to an article in the Bay Citizen.

However, HUSD leaders say the contractors are never asked about giving donations before or after their selection, and that there is no connection between their being hired and their willingness to contribute.

"During the application process, there was no discussion of any donations to the school district or the campaign," Harding said Monday of the selection of Piper Jaffray for bond underwriter, Quattrocchi Kwok of Santa Rosa for architectural work, and David Casnocha, of the San Francisco office of Stradling Yocca Carlson and Rauth, for bond counsel.

"That's not a factor in the selection process," Harding said.

He said a request for proposals was sent out publicly for all three contracts, and they were circulated widely for more than a month each. Interviews were held with a special committee that included at least one HUSD board member, Harding said.

Candidates were selected by the committee, and then approved by the board, Harding said.

"There was no discussion either before or after (the selection) about any donations," Harding said. "If they want to donate after the fact, that's their choice."

a board member of the and the treasurer for the Measure E fundraising committee, Citizens for Excellence in Education, is quoted in the Bay Citizen article as saying that it's common sense for the contractors to want the bond issue to be approved.

"It's in their interest, obviously, to help it get passed, but more importantly, we need to have the actual passage to make it work and accomplish the objectives of the community, and I don't know that that's a negative thing," Holt is quoted as saying.

"Seems to me like that's a rational thing to do," Holt told the Bay Citizen.

According to the article, Piper Jaffray, the bond underwriters, contributed $7,500, while architects Quattrocchi Kwok gave $5,000. Bond counsel Straddling Yocca donated $3,500, said the article, which didn't give the names of the architect or bond counsel.

To read the Bay Citizen article, click here.

If approved, -- all of which would be used to repair, improve or replace buildings and equipment at district schools and facilities. about $47 per $100,000 of each resident's assessed property value.

Many district buildings are aging and in need of maintenance and repairs, Harding said. The bond would also pay for equipment in the district's science labs.