Down to only two groundskeepers, the Carson City School District is partnering with the city to maintain the bulk of its playing fields.
"It was just getting harder to take care of it," said Mark Korinek, director of operations for the school district. "The city has the equipment and the expertise."
City supervisors approved the interlocal agreement between the school district and parks department during their July 2 meeting. School board trustees will review the agreement during their meeting Tuesday evening.
"It's an awesome partnership," Korinek said. "So far, there's been a great start to the project."
The work is contracted for $78,000 annually, which is less than what it cost the district before, Korinek said, when the work was done by the district and private companies. He said he anticipates about a $100,000 savings overall.
The parks department will take over aeration, mowing, fertilization and trimming of 18 acres of large fields at most elementary schools and Carson Middle School.
Carson High School's football field is artificial turf and the school has its own equipment to maintain other grassy areas, Korinek said.
Roger Moellendorf, director of Carson City Parks and Recreation, said his department will benefit as well.
"We're going to be able to hire a couple of additional seasonal employees that we can utilize on our property as well," he said. "We'll also be able to buy another badly needed mower."
Overall, he said, forming a partnership with the school district is good for both organizations and for the community.
"We have found the school district to be very good to work with," he said. "It makes sense if we can consolidate some of our efforts, and in the long run it should translate to savings for the taxpayers."
He called it a "model to work with for future projects."