Three possible feeder patterns (see related story) — traditional, mixed and east/west — were drafted by the district as possible ways to divide Farrer Middle School students among the remaining two middle schools.

At a recent public meeting, Wasatch parents remained split over which plan they preferred. Overall, Provo district parents appeared to favor the East/West and Traditional feeder patterns over the Mixed model.

"Provo High is going to die without Wasatch," said parent Becky Ellis at a recent open house sponsored by the board. "You've got such an economic difference between east and west."

That issue has board member Richard Sheffield worried. He spent Monday asking Wasatch parents to weigh in on their preferences.

Superintendent Randy Merrill spent the day re-crunching numbers that show the economic, social and educational makeup of each middle school feeder pattern.

He hopes the data will help the board reach a decision at today's meeting. The board needs to select a master plan by Nov. 30 to provide sufficient time for it to be implemented by next school year.

Wright said she believes the board will at least adopt the basics of the master plan; Packard remains unsure.

"I hope we can make a decision, but neither one of our options is very appealing at this moment," Packard said. "I'm just kind of holding my breath."

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E-mail: lwarner@desnews.com