NEW SCHOOLS, BOUNDARIES LIKELY FOR ALPINE

Editor's note: This is the second of two stories on crowding problems in Alpine School District.For the next few months, Alpine School District officials will debate the district's crowding problem in hopes of finding an affordable and palatable solution.

The Alpine School Board is considering bonding for at least $85 million to construct two new high schools and two or three elementary schools. As an alternative, the district might bond for less and remodel existing schools. Or it might change school boundaries and implement alternative scheduling.

"There's probably ways to solve the problem without building new schools, but we need to decide if it's best for the education of our students," Superintendent Steven Baugh said.

New schools

At this time, bonding and building new schools appears to be the option board members favor. A high school in north Orem would relieve crowding at Orem and Mountain View high schools and would accommodate growth in Orem and Lindon. A new high school in north American Fork would relieve crowding at American Fork High School and would accommodate growth in Highland, Pleasant Grove and Alpine.

Without a new elementary school in American Fork and north Orem or Lindon, enrollment at some schools will exceed 1,000 students. With Lehi growing faster than any other community, the need for a new school in that city is not far away.

"I can't see anything to do in the long run but to buy property and build more schools," board member Vance Calder said.

A high school nowadays carries a price tag of about $30 million to build and about $750,000 annually to operate. Elementary schools cost about $11 million to build and about $350,000 annually to operate. If the board chooses this option, it likely will hold a bond election in May or November for between $85 million and $95 million. It's only been two years since voters approved a $30 million bond, and Alpine's tax rate is still the 32nd lowest among the state's 40 districts.

"The state is saying, `Until you're willing to tax yourself, don't come to us for money,' " said Jack McKelvy, director of business.

By structuring the bonds so that $40 million is issued in 1994 and $45 million in 1997, property tax on a $100,000 home would increase about $60 a year. By choosing this option, however, construction on one elementary school and one high school could not begin until 1997.

Remodeling, portable classrooms