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Duarte youth-league leaders say new field reservation process and fees threaten programs; board asks staff for details
Summary
Speakers at the Duarte Unified School District meeting said the district shifted field reservations to an online vendor with hourly fees and custodial charges, and that the change plus loss of snack-bar access could force higher registration fees or program cuts for DYC/DYAC youth teams.
Several parents and volunteers told the Duarte Unified School District Board of Education on Thursday that a recent change in field-reservation procedures and access to facilities is jeopardizing longtime local youth sports programs.
Christina Cervantes, who identified herself as a volunteer with the Duarte Youth Athletic Club (DYAC), told the board the group was notified it must now reserve fields through the district's Facilitron online system and that the quoted costs are roughly $68 per hour for field use plus $20 per hour for custodial services, with an additional 9% service fee at checkout. Cervantes said the change would raise the softball-field cost for one season to about $13,490 and could force registration fees for players to jump from $225 to as much as $675 per player for some age groups.
"This is a significant change to what we have been expected to do," Cervantes said. She added that DYAC has had equipment and snack-bar inventory locked out after a change of locks, leaving season inventory unusable.
Leticia (last name not specified), a DYAC representative who followed Cervantes, said the group used to be named in a joint field-use agreement with the city and had previously received a city grant to ensure low-cost access. "After 61 years, Duarte children will be forced to play in other cities," she said, arguing that families who can't travel may lose access to sports and to the benefits they provide.
Ramon Cardenas, a longtime city resident and parent, told the board local youth programs keep kids engaged and urged the district to "put the children first." Several board members asked staff to provide details and to bring factual information back to the board. Assistant Superintendent Tiffany Bell said staff hold weekly construction and facilities meetings and offered to meet with DYAC to clarify what had been planned and why. "If you have any questions, they can come across the line. I can give you the correct information," she said.
No board action was taken during the meeting; directors asked staff to report back with documentation of the field-use policy change, the Facilitron cost estimate, and the status of snack-bar access and other facilities. Board members said they wanted to resolve the issue quickly because of the ongoing fall season.
Why it matters: DYAC and similar volunteer leagues provide low-cost recreational and developmental opportunities for children. Sudden changes to access, fees or equipment availability can increase costs for families or force leagues to cancel teams, which board members and public commenters said would harm local students and community cohesion.
