Monticello schools, city expand facilities partnership; district adds grounds equipment to cut outside contracting costs
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Summary
District and city staff described a growing partnership on field and grounds maintenance, including purchase of a Toro 60‑gallon sprayer and plans to use city equipment and training to reduce recurring contractor costs for athletic fields and turf maintenance.
Monticello Public School District officials described an expanding facilities partnership with the city that aims to reduce outside contracting costs and improve field maintenance.
Director of building and grounds Terry Woodworth, newly hired grounds director Greg Holker, city staff Tom Pollock and Gary Revnig addressed the school board on May 5, detailing recent investments and shared resources. Woodworth said the district spent about $12,000 last year on outside athletic field maintenance and that the district explored options to perform more work in‑house.
Grounds director Greg Holker, who joined the district in the previous autumn, provided cost comparisons and maintenance recommendations. Woodworth said a local vendor quoted roughly $2,000 for materials to match the prior contractor’s services but noted the district lacked some equipment. The district and city identified a suitable sprayer and a field sweeper through joint assessment, and city staff facilitated purchase and equipment sharing.
Board presentations said the district purchased a Toro stand‑on 60‑gallon spraymaster to support fertilizer and treatment applications. The city agreed to lend or provide access to an aerator and other large equipment when needed. Tom Pollock’s crew delivered emergency assistance for a stuck flagpole at the middle school, the presentation said, and district and city staff attended regional turf maintenance training to align practices.
District and city speakers emphasized cost savings and more consistent maintenance for heavily used surfaces, including a synthetic turf field that school leaders send for professional maintenance twice yearly. Woodworth said the field was in its eighth year of service; staff noted the field receives heavy use (soccer, lacrosse, football, community events and Fayette) and that maintaining the turf preserves its useful life.
Officials said the partnership extends to sharing expertise, occasional equipment loans, and collaboration on purchasing to stretch both municipal and district budgets. The board thanked staff for pursuing collaborative, cost‑saving approaches to keep playing surfaces and grounds “looking top notch.”