Most coaches appreciate free use of fields
It is too bad that correspondent Valerie Putnam didn’t work harder to provide a balanced story (“State of CV fields draws complaints,” Valley edition Your Voice, Aug 11). If she had, she would have discovered that the grounds of most Central Valley School District schools look terrific thanks to our dedicated custodial staff and grounds people. They take great pride in their work and their schools.
Over the past 20 years, I have worked closely with many baseball and soccer leagues to keep our fields in good condition. A simple phone call is all it takes for us to provide dirt, tools and assistance. If an issue comes up, a simple phone call resolves it.
I have never received any type of contact from the coaches quoted in the article. Sports leagues are never charged a fee for using Central Valley fields. We mow their grass, water their fields and haul their trash. Most coaches appreciate the free use and like to help maintain them rather than complain about them.
With over 500 acres to maintain, we do occasionally have sprinkler issues (Ponderosa Elementary). When we are made aware of them, they are repaired. With temperatures reaching over 103 degrees, it is difficult to avoid brown areas. Vandalism is also a major problem. Recently we had 13 sprinkler heads destroyed in one evening at one school.
I feel it is important to recognize the hard work of everyone involved in the maintenance of Central Valley school grounds. They look great.
Tim Byus
Maintenance supervisor
Central Valley School District