This joint release from Saratoga Springs and The Saratoga Springs City School District just in:

The City of Saratoga Springs has managed and maintained the East Side and West Side Recreation Fields, owned by the Saratoga Springs City School District, since 1978. This arrangement has been by mutual agreement, renewable on an annual basis. However, beginning on January 1, 2011, the Saratoga Springs City School District will be implementing its own plan for sole management of those properties. This transition process will occur through communication and sharing information between the city and district; investigating a variety of related budgetary and regulatory issues; and developing a plan that the Board of Education will approve.

“The East Side and West Side Recreation Fields are a valuable resource to the community of Saratoga Springs. The collaboration with the city over the past 32 years is appreciated,” stated Superintendent Janice White.

Mayor Scott Johnson agrees that the collaboration and cooperation between the city and the school district has well served the community. “As well as the prior arrangement has worked in the past, fiscal realities and budgetary constraints dictate the city turning future maintenance and management over to the district, as owner. Of course, we will fully assist in all measures to make this transition as seamless as possible,” stated Mayor Johnson.

Spoke with Mayor Johnson and Comm. Scirocco; both indicated that they had discussed the issue of finances with district officials. The city receives $50,000 annually for upkeep of the fields, an amount Scirocco said did not meet the cost to the city.

Outgoing Rec. Dept. Director Linda Terricola deferred comment to Johnson, as my call was the first she had heard of the agreement. Comm. Ivins also declined comment.