News + Events
Lorez Bailey, former nonprofit director and publisher, joins SchoolsRule Sonoma County
January 9, 2025
Lorez Bailey, the former publisher of the North Bay Business Journal and executive director of Santa Rosa’s Chop’s Teen Club, has been selected to lead fundraising and operations of SchoolsRule Sonoma County.
SchoolsRule is an initiative of the Sonoma County Office of Education that raises funds on behalf of all public students throughout the region's 40 school districts. It was launched by Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Amie Carter in November 2023 as a focused community effort to support all public schools in the county. The initiative has distributed nearly $136,400 to local school districts and education foundations in its first year.
In her role as the SchoolsRule Sonoma County Ambassador, Bailey will build and execute the initiative’s fundraising strategy, drive community engagement efforts, and oversee the coordination of events such as SchoolsRule’s annual distribution. Bailey’s extensive experience working with Sonoma County youth and strong ties to the local business community made her a perfect fit for the SchoolsRule team, Carter said.
“Lorez is a passionate champion of students who understands the importance of providing them with opportunities that ignite their curiosity and expand their worldview,” Carter said. “Her thoughtful leadership will help us build on SchoolsRule’s early wins as we look to build a stable funding stream to enrich our local schools.”
Bailey was the publisher of the North Bay Business Journal — which covers business news in and around Sonoma County — from September 2021 to July 2024. Prior to that, she served as the executive director for Chop's Teen Club for five years. The nonprofit provides Sonoma County middle and high school students with a place to meet after school, explore their interests, participate in enrichment programs, and receive mentoring.
Bailey also prepared students to enter the workforce and attend college as the director of college and career readiness at the nonprofit Social Advocates for Youth. She was named Sonoma County’s Woman of the Year by Rep. Mike Thompson in 2019 for her support of local students.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to continue uplifting youth in our community through SchoolsRule,” Bailey said. “I’m eager to grow our profile across our county and deepen the investment we make in our students.”
SchoolsRule is modeled after a similar program that began in Marin County in 2011. That effort, SchoolsRule-Marin, has raised more than $8.4 million to support Marin County’s public schools.
The Sonoma County fundraiser has secured $179,000 in donations during its second year so far. Every dollar raised will be distributed to local education foundations, as well as to school districts without such organizations, on a per-student basis.
Recipients direct funding to educational programs of their choosing that align with SchoolsRule’s priority areas: literacy, student well-being, agriculture and hospitality, and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math).
Supporters of SchoolsRule include Redwood Credit Union, Sonoma Clean Power, Kaiser Permanente, Exchange Bank, The Press Democrat, Friedman's Home Improvement, and Sutter Health.
SchoolsRule Sonoma County Kicks Off Second Year of Fundraising with $179,000 in Donations
October 25, 2024
SchoolsRule Sonoma County, a fundraising initiative for local public school students run by the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE), raised $179,000 in donations Thursday evening during an event held at Paradise Ridge Winery in Santa Rosa.
The event kicked off the second year of fundraising for SchoolsRule, a program launched by Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Amie Carter last November. She told the business and community leaders from throughout the region who attended Thursday’s event of the urgent need to support local schools at a time when many are seeing shrinking budgets.
“Schools are making some difficult decisions,” Carter said. “But fun classroom projects and field trips should not be on the table. That’s where SchoolsRule Sonoma County fills in that gap.”
Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-North Coast) led the fundraising portion of the evening. He emphasized the benefits of the initiative being housed by SCOE, which does not use donations to cover operational costs. Every dollar raised for SchoolsRule supports educational opportunities for Sonoma County students.
“SchoolsRule is a game-changer here in Sonoma County,” McGuire said. “They’re bringing in all of the education foundations together for one important cause — our kids.”
Redwood Credit Union, Sonoma Clean Power, Kaiser Permanente, and Exchange Bank were among the local businesses who committed their support to SchoolsRule. In addition, The Press Democrat and parent company Sonoma Media Investments made an in-kind donation of $25,000 in advertising and marketing as part of a three-year, $75,000 commitment to SchoolsRule.
Matt Martin, the senior vice president of community & government relations for Redwood Credit Union, said the positive social impact generated by SchoolsRule Sonoma County motivated the credit union’s support.
“We are boldly saying yes to every kid in Sonoma County,” Martin said. “ … If we do this right, years from now, the kids that we are supporting through this collaboration are going to be sitting in this room leading the way for the next generation.”
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Thursday’s fundraiser came a month after SchoolsRule celebrated its first distribution, where public school districts and education foundations throughout the region combined received nearly $136,400. Donations are dispersed on a per-student-basis to education foundations and districts who then direct funding to classrooms along several priority areas: literacy; student well-being; agriculture and hospitality; and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.)
Members of two local education foundations that are recipients of SchoolsRule, Cesar Chavez Language Academy Education Foundation and The Education Foundation of Cotati & Rohnert Park, also spoke during Thursday’s event. In addition to serving as a fundraiser for public school students, SchoolsRule regularly meets with local education foundations to bolster their capacity to fundraise in their communities.
"In almost 20 years of service, your donation is the largest single cash donation we have ever received,” said Dan Blanquie, president of the Education Foundation of Cotati & Rohnert Park, which received more than $13,000 from SchoolsRule last month. “Your hard work and diligence is already being fruitful."
SchoolsRule Sonoma County is modeled after SchoolsRule-Marin, which has raised more than $7.6 million for Marin’s public school students since 2012. Other donors for SchoolsRule Sonoma County include Friedman's Home Improvement; Sutter Health; Chandi Hospitality Group; Edwards, Stevens & Tucker, LLP; Rebich Construction Inc.; F3 Law; Level Body Pilates; and Wright Contracting.
SchoolsRule Sonoma County Distributes $136,400 in Inaugural Event
September 20, 2024
SchoolsRule Sonoma County, a fundraising project of the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE), celebrated the distribution of nearly $136,400 to public school districts and education foundations throughout the region during an inaugural event held Thursday, Sept. 19, at Amarosa Academy in Santa Rosa.
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​County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Amie Carter launched SchoolsRule in November to fundraise on behalf of every public school student in Sonoma County.
On Thursday, local education foundation members and leaders from districts that lack such groups received checks from SchoolsRule ranging from $250 to more than $23,000. Distribution recipients included Petaluma Educational Foundation ($23,674), The Education Foundation of Cotati & Rohnert Park ($13,147), and Made in Santa Rosa Foundation ($12,432).
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Roughly 70 community members, including local business owners and elected officials, attended the event. In her comments to attendees, Carter touched on a moment in her career as an educator when less than $70 stood in the way of launching a project that would deepen her students’ learning.
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“I can't really articulate for you how much of a game changer just a small contribution can be to how an educator teaches our children,” Carter said. “In these difficult financial times, things like field trip opportunities become things that are very difficult for a school district to afford and a fund like this can fill in and make sure that those rich opportunities are available to all of our students.”
“I know that everyone here is committed to our young people and committed to our schools,” Carter added. “SchoolsRule Sonoma County is taking the lead in bridging our community and strengthening our collective impact.”
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Funds raised for SchoolsRule were distributed on a per-student basis and will be allocated to school sites and classrooms by the fund recipients. Education foundations and districts will target funding along the following program areas: literacy; student well-being; agriculture and hospitality; and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math).
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Joanne Parker, president of the Cloverdale Adds Resources for Education Foundation (CARE), also spoke. She underscored the importance of field trips for Cloverdale students in particular, given how geographically isolated their community is.
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“We really appreciate the extra resource, and the countywide lift,” Parker said of the SchoolsRule funds.
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Members of SchoolsRule’s Founders Circle who have committed to supporting SchoolsRule Sonoma County at $2,500 or more annually for three years were presented with plaques. These founders include Redwood Credit Union, Exchange Bank, The Press Democrat, Sutter Health, and Friedman’s Home Improvement.
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Donors provided nearly $132,800 toward Thursday’s distribution, which was allocated to recipients based on the number of students they serve. In addition, SCOE contributed roughly $3,600 to provide extra support for Sonoma County’s smallest school districts.
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SCOE’s initiative is modeled after SchoolsRule-Marin, which has raised more than $7.6 million for Marin’s public school students since 2012. A detailed breakdown of the 2024 distribution is available at this link.
Former School Board Trustee Hired to Support SchoolsRule Sonoma County
August 5, 2024
Jen Wiltermood, a former Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified school board member with a long track record of civic engagement, has been selected to serve as the community liaison for SchoolsRule Sonoma County.
Wiltermood, who began her work in May, will help drive SchoolsRule Sonoma County’s fundraising efforts, broaden its recognition among local residents, and play an integral role in deepening the initiative’s partnerships with local education foundations and community partners.
Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Amie Carter launched SchoolsRule Sonoma County in November 2023 to raise money on behalf of every student in Sonoma County’s 40 public school districts.
Funds will be distributed to local education foundations and districts annually along program areas that include student well-being, agriculture, and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math).
Wiltermood’s knowledge of Sonoma County’s educational landscape, paired with her passion for supporting students, will help catapult SchoolsRule Sonoma County’s profile as the initiative transitions into its second year of fundraising, Carter said.
“Jen has a strong reputation for fostering meaningful relationships with community members and coalescing support around important causes,” Carter said. “Her contributions will undoubtedly bolster the impact that SchoolsRule Sonoma County makes in the lives of our public school students.”
Wiltermood is a third-generation resident of Rohnert Park who has nearly 30 years of experience working as a real estate agent. She served on the Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District Board of Education from 2013 to 2020. Wiltermood also helped spearhead two voter-approved parcel tax measures and a pair of $80 million bond measures.
Wiltermood co-chaired Rohnert Park's 50th Anniversary in 2012, and served as the president of Rohnert Park’s Founder’s Day Celebration from 2013-2018. She has taken on leadership roles with the Lawrence E. Jones Middle School and Evergreen Elementary PTAs.
“I’m honored to support SchoolsRule Sonoma County in this new role,” Wiltermood said. “My desire to help students succeed was a driving force during my time as a school board trustee, and it’s what guides me as I dive into our community to garner additional support for SchoolsRule Sonoma County.”
SchoolsRule Sonoma County is modeled after the successful SchoolsRule-Marin program, which has raised more than $6 million for students in Marin County since 2012.
Donors committed more than $128,000 on behalf of Sonoma County’s public school students in the initiative’s first year.
Want to learn how you can support SchoolsRule Sonoma County? Contact Jen Wiltermood at 707-481-6859 or jwiltermood@scoe.org to set up a call or meeting.
Chandi Hospitality Group and Mountain Mike’s to Host Dine and Donate Fundraiser for SchoolsRule Sonoma County
March 1, 2024
Chandi Hospitality Group plans to support SchoolsRule Sonoma County with a March 13, 2024, Dine & Donate fundraiser at eight Sonoma County Mountain Mike’s pizzerias. On that date, anyone who orders from one of the participating restaurants and mentions SchoolsRule will have 20% of their purchase donated to the fundraising venture.
SchoolsRule Sonoma County is a new fundraising initiative at the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) that distributes money equally throughout the Sonoma County school system, based on enrollment. It works in partnership with the region’s existing educational foundations and school districts to ensure every Sonoma County public school student has someone raising money on their behalf.
“So many aspects of life in Sonoma County improve when every student in every public school has equal access to the same high-quality programs and opportunities,” said Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Amie Carter. “We’re grateful to our local business partners like Chandi Hospitality Group for stepping up and committing to support Sonoma County’s children.”
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Participating Mountain Mike’s locations include:
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Cloverdale: 1143 S Cloverdale Blvd.
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Santa Rosa: 2280 Santa Rosa Ave.
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Santa Rosa: 4501 Montgomery Drive
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Santa Rosa: 3125 Cleveland Ave.
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Rohnert Park: 1451 Southwest Blvd.
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Rohnert Park: 6314 Commerce Blvd.
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Petaluma: 919 Lakeville St.
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Windsor: 6580 Hembree Lane
Staff from the county office will be stationed at the restaurants to thank donors and provide information about the effort.
Since 2007, Chandi Hospitality Group has raised more than $100,000 for nonprofits and local heroes, including educators, first responders and others, the company said.
“For more than 15 years, Chandi Hospitality has been dedicated to the people and communities we serve, and supporting SchoolsRule with critical funds for public schools and students in Sonoma County underscores this long-standing commitment,” said Sonu Chandi, Owner of Chandi Hospitality Group.
Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools Launches New Fund to Benefit Public Schools
County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Amie Carter and the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) are launching a new fundraising initiative in support of all the region’s public school students.
SchoolsRule Sonoma County will work in partnership with many of Sonoma County’s existing educational foundations to raise and distribute money that will benefit students throughout the region.
“Sonoma County has some wonderful education foundations that work tirelessly to support our students,” Dr. Carter said. “But these foundations vary in what they are able to do. Some schools are served by robust foundations with many volunteers and donors, while others might struggle to raise funds with one or two volunteers. Some of our rural schools have no foundation at all.”
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Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Amie Carter unveils SchoolsRule Sonoma County, a new initiative at the Sonoma County Office of Education that will raise money on behalf of all Sonoma County public school students on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023, at Redwood Credit Union's Cleveland Avenue office in Santa Rosa.
Following a Thursday, Nov. 9, launch event hosted by Redwood Credit Union, state Senate Majority Leader Mike McGuire said the new effort would fill a need among those who want to give on a broader, region-wide level.
“Sonoma County is one of the most generous places on Earth, and last week certainly didn’t disappoint. Folks were so incredibly generous supporting Sonoma County students,” McGuire said. “SchoolsRule is a one-stop shop that will uplift the lives of every public school student, in every school district, on every campus, in every corner of this great county for generations to come.”
SchoolsRule Sonoma County is based on a model pioneered by SchoolsRule-Marin, which has been raising funds on behalf of that county’s students for the past 12 years. It will serve as a single conduit for donations from people who want to impact the lives of students countywide.
California Senate Majority Leader Mike McGuire discusses SchoolsRule Sonoma County at the fundraising initiative's launch event on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023, at Redwood Credit Union's Cleveland Avenue office in Santa Rosa.
At the launch event, Redwood Credit Union made a three-year commitment of $50,000 annually to start SchoolsRule Sonoma County on strong financial footing. Its hope is that others will follow this lead and likewise step up. RCU President and CEO Brett Martinez spoke of the credit union’s long-standing support of SchoolsRule-Marin, which to date has raised more than $6 million for programs that benefit Marin County students.
Martinez said he’s been a fan of a countywide fundraising approach since longtime Marin County Superintendent of Schools Mary Jane Burke pitched him on the idea more than a decade ago.
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“Providing well-rounded educational opportunities for all students is vital to the future of our communities,” said Martinez. “When I learned what SchoolsRule-Marin was doing, I saw it for the amazing idea that it was, and so we made the commitment right then. It’s a gift for us to be able to replicate Marin’s success in Sonoma County.”
Martinez estimated that RCU has given nearly a half-million dollars over the years to support SchoolsRule-Marin.
Martinez said RCU plans to replicate its Marin County program by making a donation to SchoolsRule Sonoma County every time a Sonoma County resident makes a purchase using their RCU credit or debit card, beginning in January.
Redwood Credit Union President and CEO Brett Martinez talks about the credit union's support of SchoolsRule Sonoma County at the fundraising initiative's launch event on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023, at Redwood Credit Union's Cleveland Avenue office in Santa Rosa.
In addition to Redwood Credit Union, The Press Democrat and parent company Sonoma Media Investments have agreed to support SchoolsRule Sonoma County with a three-year commitment of $25,000 in advertising and marketing as an in-kind donation.
SchoolsRule Sonoma County will work with existing education foundations and school districts to distribute funding in alignment with several priority spending areas. The program is being housed within SCOE to reduce overhead expenses and ensure that donations go directly to benefit students.
“We are excited to partner with our education foundation partners on distribution,” Carter said. “These foundations know their school communities best, and they know best how to spend these dollars. They will help ensure donations help fund high-impact programs in our targeted areas of focus.”
Thursday’s event was meant to introduce SchoolsRule to a handful of key potential partners in establishing this new fundraising effort and was the first phase of public outreach around the campaign. Businesses and individuals willing to commit to fund the effort for three years beginning at $500 annually will be recognized as members of the initiative’s founders circle.
Several businesses and individuals at Thursday’s event committed amounts ranging from $500 to $5,000 over the next three years to support SchoolsRule Sonoma County.
“We’re grateful to report that more than $80,000 in cash contributions have been raised since Thursday, and we look forward to adding more partners. This is only the beginning,” Dr. Carter said.
From left, Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Amie Carter; Mishel Kaufman, executive vice president and chief administrative & risk officer at Redwood Credit Union; Lisa Wittke Schaffner, RCU board member; Senate Majority Leader Mike McGuire; RCU President and CEO Brett Martinez; and Matt Martin, RCU's senior vice president of community and government relations, attend the SchoolsRule Sonoma County launch event Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023, at Redwood Credit Union in Santa Rosa.
SCOE thanks Redwood Credit Union, Grove Street Brokers, Libarle Vineyard, Parliament Brewing Company, Pedy's Pedals, and Sequoia Floral for the goods and services they donated to help make the SchoolsRule launch event a success,
You can find our donor platform on our website as well as instructions on how to sign up for our email newsletter and find our social media. If you are involved with an education foundation and would like to learn more, please email schoolsrulesonomacounty@scoe.org or call (707) 522-3330.
Contact Us
SchoolsRule Sonoma County
c/o The Sonoma County Office of Education
5340 Skylane Boulevard
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Phone: (707) 522-3330