Joint Use Partnerships & Agreements

Formal 1988 Foundation & Ongoing Resource Sharing

Simi Valley Unified School District and Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District have a long-standing, formal partnership for the shared use of public facilities and resources.

The relationship is not simply informal cooperation. The two agencies entered into an Agreement for Joint Use of Grounds, Buildings, Facilities and Equipment effective July 5, 1988. That agreement has been supplemented and amended over the years to address specific facilities and uses. Park District records identify shared-use arrangements involving facilities including Apollo High School athletic fields, Berylwood Elementary School property, and field space at the Adult Education campus.

Direct Community & Youth Impact

The partnership can be seen directly in programs serving our children. Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District operates before- and after-school programs on SVUSD campuses. For example:

• Township Elementary: Before- and after-school care is provided on-site directly through the Park District.
• Mountain View Elementary: Identifies a Rancho Simi program operating on-site from 6:45 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Knolls Elementary: Identifies its After-School Club as an official Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District program.
• Garden Grove & Crestview Elementary Schools: Also feature Rancho Simi before- and/or after-school programs serving their students.

Athletics & Recreational Facilities Sharing

The partnership also extends to athletics and recreational facilities. The joint-use documents specifically address Park District use of Apollo High School fields and reference agreements covering softball fields at Berylwood Elementary and Apollo High School, as well as field space at the Adult Education campus. Park District records also show Apollo High School softball fields being made available for organized community youth softball, demonstrating how school property can serve recreational needs beyond the regular school day.

This is a practical example of two public agencies sharing resources rather than unnecessarily duplicating them. School campuses can provide locations for recreation and after-school programming, while Park District facilities and recreational resources can support students, athletics, and community activities.

Experienced Governance & Fiscal Responsibility

Having served on the Simi Valley Unified School District Board, I have firsthand experience with the importance of these partnerships and joint-use agreements. I understand that they involve more than simply opening a gate or allowing someone to use a field. They require agreements regarding scheduling, maintenance, responsibilities, costs, insurance, safety, and the appropriate use of publicly owned facilities.

As I move from my service on the School Board to seeking a position on the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District Board, that experience gives me an understanding of both the educational and recreational sides of this partnership. It is an existing relationship that can continue to be strengthened so our youth have safe, productive places to learn, participate in programs, play sports, stay active, and connect with their community.