The Petaluma City Schools board voted 5-0 on April 14 to fly the Progress Pride flag at every district campus throughout the full school year — a significant expansion of a policy that had previously covered only the final weeks of spring semester.
Key Takeaways
- The Petaluma City Schools Board of Education voted unanimously, 5-0, on April 14 to fly the Progress Pride flag year-round at all district campuses.
- The flags will hang beneath the required U.S. and California flags on each school’s single flagpole during school hours.
- The new policy expands a 2022 resolution that had limited the flags to a window from late May through June 30, tied to Harvey Milk Day and Pride Month.
- Superintendent Matthew Harris said the goal is to make students who have “experienced exclusion or bullying” feel “seen, supported and valued.”
- The vote came less than a year after a Petaluma man was arrested on felony charges for threatening to “execute” a district official over the pride flags.
Board expands a four-year commitment
The board’s April 14 vote builds on a 2022 resolution that first authorized the Progress Pride flag at Petaluma City Schools campuses. That earlier policy was deliberately timed to Harvey Milk Day and Pride Month, keeping the flags up from late May through June 30 each year. The new resolution removes that seasonal window and makes the display permanent throughout the academic calendar.
Board trustee Caitlin Quinn said following the vote that flags would be raised across campuses by the end of that same week. She described the policy as a daily demonstration of the district’s “commitment to inclusion.” Superintendent Matthew Harris framed it in terms of student well-being, saying the flags are meant to communicate to students — especially those “who have experienced exclusion or bullying” — that they are “seen, supported and valued.”
Eight community members spoke in favor of the resolution at the April 14 meeting. No one spoke in opposition. The board also discussed whether flagpoles could safely hold a fourth flag for observances like Juneteenth, but Harris said three flags is currently the maximum most poles can accommodate.
The decision is part of a broader pattern of inclusion efforts across Sonoma County. Earlier this month, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors voted to bar cooperation with ICE and committed $1.5 million to support immigrant residents, reflecting a regional emphasis on protecting vulnerable community members. And last week, 12 Sonoma County students were recognized with Youth Service Awards for work that included LGBTQ+ youth outreach and peer support programs.
A threat, an arrest, and a continued commitment
The expansion comes less than a year after a frightening episode that put district officials in real danger. In June 2025, Petaluma resident Josh Garzoli, 54, was arrested on two felony counts of making criminal threats after a months-long escalation. According to police, Garzoli left a voicemail on May 30, 2025 warning of “harsh consequences” if the flags were not removed, then appeared in person at the district’s administration offices on June 2 — described as “agitated and angry.” On June 5, he sent an email explicitly threatening to “execute” a district official if the flags were not taken down by the end of the school day. He was arrested without incident the following morning; bail was set at $750,000.
Petaluma police called the threat “specific, time sensitive” and said it raised “serious safety concerns for school officials.” Sandra Larsen, president of the local teachers’ union, put the stakes plainly: “How can we expect people to accept leadership roles if their well-being is threatened?” Harris said the district “took that seriously” and worked closely with law enforcement throughout. The board called the threats “disheartening” but reaffirmed its commitment to diversity and “thoughtful, productive dialogue.”
The unanimous vote to expand the flag policy — coming just ten months after that arrest — signals that neither the board nor the superintendent intends to retreat. According to the Petaluma Argus-Courier, which first reported the April 14 vote, the decision puts Petaluma City Schools among a small group of California districts that display Pride flags throughout the entire school year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will every Petaluma school fly the Pride flag?
Yes. The resolution applies to all Petaluma City Schools campuses. Each school has a single flagpole that can hold up to three flags; the Progress Pride flag will fly beneath the required U.S. and California flags throughout the school year, during school business hours.
What was the old policy, and when does the new one take effect?
Since 2022, the district had flown the Progress Pride flag from late May through June 30, covering Harvey Milk Day and Pride Month. The April 14, 2026 vote extended that to a year-round policy; board trustee Caitlin Quinn said flags would be raised at all campuses by the end of the week following the vote.
What happened with the man who threatened a district official?
In June 2025, Petaluma resident Josh Garzoli was arrested on two felony counts of criminal threats after threatening to “execute” a district official if pride flags were not removed. He was taken into custody without incident the following morning, and his bail was set at $750,000. The case highlighted the real safety risks district leaders have faced in connection with the flag policy.
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