That decision didn't keep Provo High student body President Jonathan Pike from worrying about his school's future.

"I think the feeling of 'rich school (Timpview)/poor school (Provo)' is still alive," Pike said. "And it looks like it's not going to get any better."

At the prompting of board member Richard Sheffield, the board also voted to require district officials to include the board in all expenditure decisions stemming from the plan and provide some guidelines to give larger schools a more personal feel.

That's a big concern for Renae Golding, whose children will attend Dixon Middle School.

"The process right now takes children from elementary school to middle school to high school," Golding said. She said Farrer's closure will increase student populations at the remaining two middle schools so that appears "now, we're going to throw them from elementary school into a high school situation."

Superintendent Randy Merrill said he's confident the plan has students' best interest at heart, though many decisions still remain before it can be put in place.

The board will meet with district business administrators at the beginning of January to discuss a possible bond. And a detailed implementation plan will be drafted as soon as possible, Merrill said.

"This hasn't been a cake walk," he said. "It isn't going to be a cake walk. But I'm very confident that we're going to do the right thing for our students."

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New Provo School District alignment

Provo High School

Middle school: Dixon; Elementaries: Amelia Earhart, Franklin, Grandview, Sunset View, Timpanogos and Westridge

Timpview High School

Middle school: Centennial; Elementaries: Canyon Crest, Edgemont, Farrer, Provost, Rock Canyon, Spring Creek and Wasatch

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E-mail: lwarner@desnews.com