Grounds Department
Purpose 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: ≈ 100
Team Profile
Twenty employees on four (4) teams - North, South, Athletics, and Irrigation
Featured Projects
Our New 2023 John Deer 1600 large area mower.
Foothill Oak Elementary Field Renovation July 2023
Working With EDCO To Mulch Our Schools
Dr. Doyle working with our Grounds Department during Classified School Employee Week.
Memorial Tree Planted at MVHS
Repairing our students playgrounds.
Creating Outdoor Classrooms
Transforming an unused space into an outdoor classroom.
Transforming an unused area in our kindergarten into an outdoor learning space.
More About the Grounds Department
Related Links
Related Committees
- Asset Management Advisory
- Citizens' Bond Oversight (CBOC)
- Climate Action
- Career Superhighway
Contact Us
Office Hours: 6:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Phone: (760) 726-2170 ext. 92704
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.
Our Staff
Anthony Arias
Grounds Manager
(760) 726-2170 ext. 92704
Email: anthonyarias@vistausd.org
Mark Henry
Grounds Maintenance Lead North Crew
(760) 726-2170 ext. 92704
Email: markherny@vistausd.org
Robert Johnson
Grounds Maintenance Lead Field Crew
(760) 726-2170 ext. 92704
Email: robertjohnson@vistausd.org
Ernesto Rivera
Grounds Maintenance Lead South Crew
(760) 726-2170 ext. 92704
Email: ernestorivera@vistausd.org
Danica Reed
Administrative Secretary I
(760) 726-2170 ext. 92702
Email: danicareed@vistausd.org
Departmental Oversight
Shawn T. Loescher, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent
Business and Operations Support Services
(760) 726-2170 ext. 92302
Email: shawnloescher@vistausd.org
Kevin Kirby
Director (TOC), Maintenance, Operations and Grounds Departments
(760) 726-2170 ext. 92705
Email: kevinkirby@vistausd.org
Danica Reed
Administrative Secretary I
(760) 726-2170 ext. 92702
Email: danicareed@vistausd.org
LAST UPDATED: November 20, 2024