PROVO — After a month of waiting, people affected by a proposed split of the Alpine School District took the chance Wednesday to give their opinions to the Utah County Commission.

Based on nearly two hours of passionate public commentary, it seems those 30 days gave opponents of the split a chance to unite against the proposal. The commission must decide whether to let the public vote on the plan.

"The teachers are against it. The educators are against it. The PTA is against it," said Ann Davies, who lives in Lehi.

When the meeting came to an end, all but two people had passionately spoken out against the formation of the proposed Pioneer School District.

Not surprisingly, those same people live in Lehi, Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain — all cities located within the proposed boundaries of the new district.

Many expressed concern about an estimated 40 percent increase in school taxes for those in northern Utah County. Others worried about the reduced educational opportunities and lost teacher benefits that would come with being a small district.

"Whether we like it or not, it takes money to educate and it's money that we may not have," said Eagle Mountain resident Marianne Liddiard.

Those sentiments echo the recent finding of a seven-member committee formed in December to study the feasibility of carving a new district out of the current Alpine School District, which is the largest district in Utah County.

After examining studies from other school districts and a study by Brigham Young University's business school, which examined the social and financial implications of the split, the committee last month voted 5-1 against the split on the grounds that it would place an unfair financial burden on residents in the new district.

But that doesn't mean that the issue is dead.

The Utah County Commission can still place the item on the November ballot.

And there are some who are in favor of the split on the grounds that it would give parents more control of their schools.

"Taxation is important, but it is more important that the parents have some input," said Barbara Petty, who was the sole Orem resident in attendance.

The meeting Wednesday marked the first day of a 45-day period of public comment, which will be the last opportunity for any input before commissioners decide whether the split will be put on the November ballot.

Commissioner Jerry Grover made it clear to the large audience that if the issue makes it to the ballot, it will have to be passed by a majority of the residents living in the proposed Pioneer District, as well as a majority of those remaining in the Alpine District.

But Lehi parent Michelle Stringham said that she's even worried about a vote because "the majority of people (who) would be voting don't have the facts."

Said Liddiard: "I'm still wondering what's so wrong with Alpine School District."

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E-mail: lwarner@desnews.com