Grounds Department

Grounds LogoPurpose Statement
The purpose of the Grounds Department is to provide school sites and district facilities an appealing and pleasant outdoor environment to enhance student's and staff's experience.

This is being accomplished by:

  • The development of a long-range landscape master plan.
  • The regular maintenance and groom of outdoor environments.
  • Responsive services to work order requests.
  • Proactive summer planning and development services.
  • The establishment of standards of care for our students, faculty, and staff.
  • Ongoing professional development to meet or exceed our standards of care. 
Scope of Responsibility
All aspects of lawns, trees, bushes, irrigation, pesticide applications, pest control, playgrounds, and auxiliary external spaces. 

Grounds at a Glance
The Grounds Department team consists of twenty dedicated employees who service roughly 200 maintainable acres of District property.
  • Total Acres: ≈ 443
  • Regular Serviceable Acres: ≈ 200
  • Grass and Turf Acres: ≈ 102
Team Profile
Twenty employees on four (4) teams - North, South, Athletics, and Irrigation
 

Integrated Pest Management Plan (IMP)

An IPM is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. IPM programs use current and comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. This information, when used in conjunction with available pest control methods, is best used to manage pest damage with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment. Review our IPM plan by clicking here.

Contact Us

If you have an urgent matter please call the Grounds Department, Monday through Friday from 6:00 AM to 2:30 PM. at 760.726.2170 ext. 92704

Anthony Arias
Grounds Manager
760.726.2170 ext. 92704

Danica Reed
Administrative Secretary I
760.726.2170 ext. 92702

Salvador Mayo
Grounds Maintenance Lead
North Crew

Sites Serviced by North Crew:
  • Mission Vista High School
  • Vista High School
  • Alta Vista High School
  • Rancho Minerva Middle School
  • Roosevelt Middle School
  • Vista Adult Transition Center
  • Bobier Elementary
  • Empresa Elementary
  • T.H.E Leadership Academy
  • Foothill Oak Elementary
  • Mission Meadows Elementary
  • Alamosa Park Elementary
  • Beaumont Elementary
  • ASC/OSC

Robert Johnson
Grounds Maintenance Lead
Field Crew

Sites Serviced by Field Crew:

  • Vista High School Athletic Fields
  • Rancho Buena Vista High School Athletic Fields
  • Mission Vista High School Athletic Fields
  • Alta Vista High School
  • Major General Raymond Murry
  • Alta Vista High School
  • Rancho Minerva Middle School
  • Roosevelt Middle School
  • Madison Middle School
  • Vista Innovation & Design Academy
  • Vista Magnet Middle School
  • Alamosa Elementary
  • Beaumont Elementary
  • Bobier Elementary
  • Breeze Hill Elementary
  • Casita Elementary
  • Empresa Elementary
  • Grapevine Elementary
  • Hannalei Elementary
  • Lake Elementary
  • Linda Rhoades Recreation Center
  • Maryland Elementary
  • Mission Meadows Elementary
  • Monte Vista Elementary
  • Foothill Oak Elementary
  • Empresa Elementary
  • T.H.E Leadership Academy
  • Vista Academy of Visual & Preforming Arts
  • Vista Innovation Center

Ernesto Rivera
Grounds Maintenance Lead
South Crew

Sites Serviced by South Crew:

  • Rancho Buena Vista High School
  • Major General Raymond Murray High School
  • Madison Middle School
  • Vista Magnet Middle School
  • Vista Academy of Visual & Preforming Arts
  • Innovations Academy
  • Breeze Hill Elementary
  • Casita Elementary
  • California Elementary
  • Maryland Elementary
  • Grapevine Elementary
  • Lake Elementary
  • Monte Vista Elementary
  • Hannalei Elementary
  • Adult Ed Sunset
  • Linda Rhoades Recreation Center
  • Mary Lou Clack Center
  • Vista Innovation Center
  • North Ave Warehouse

Rainout Line:  (760) 726-2170 Ext. 92719
VUSD grounds department will temporarily close athletic fields based on weather conditions. This is done to ensure the safety of our students, staff and outside organizations who use our outdoor athletic facilities. 

Departmental Oversight


Shawn Loescher, Ed.D.
Chief Operations Officer
760.726.2170 ext. 92702  

Danica Reed
Administrative Secretary I
760.726.2170 ext. 92702

Last Updated: May 23, 2023

Operations Service Center: Department Direct Links