Split-district plan falters

PROVO — A large crowd gathered Tuesday at the Utah County Commission chambers as an advisory committee delivered a detailed study to the commissioners about splitting the Alpine School District.

But a discussion — and a decision — on the controversial proposal will have to wait.

"We're here to receive the report today," said Utah County Commissioner Steve White, "not to debate it one way or another."

The seven-member committee last week voted against recommending the creation of a new school district for Lehi, Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain. The approximately 50 residents who attended Tuesday's meeting did not have the chance to share their opinions with the commission.

But they will soon.

Before committee leader Gaylord Swim gave his presentation on the six-month feasibility study, White announced that a public hearing will be held July 28 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the proposed split. It would create a new public school system that is being called the Pioneer School District.

Also, a 45-day public comment period began Tuesday. It allows residents to file opinions on the county Web site, www.utahcountyonline.com.

While comments Tuesday were limited to committee members and the commission, there was an indication that the upcoming public hearing could be charged.

At one point, while Utah Rep. David Cox, R-Lehi, the only committee member who voted in favor of a split, was addressing the commission, a few people in attendance interrupted his comments by clapping and cheering. That prompted an agitated White to respond, "Please stop, or I'll have you removed."

In December, the commission appointed a committee to study the feasibility of a school district split. The research period began Jan. 6. The committee examined studies from other school districts and reviewed information from the Utah Taxpayers Association and the State Board of Education.

In addition, it commissioned Brigham Young University's business school to look at the social and financial implications of a split.

The essential finding of the feasibility study, Swim said, was that there would be a 40 percent increase in school taxes for those living within the proposed Pioneer District boundaries.

"The current Alpine District is projected to have a tax of $3.45 per $1,000 of assessed value while the (proposed district) is projected to need a tax rate of $4.84 per $1,000 of assessed value," Swim said. "As about 60 percent of total property taxes go to the school system, this translates into 24 percent total tax increase by the year 2010 for those in the new district."

Those projections do not take into account inflation, Swim said. Nor do they include bonding for new schools or operational and startup costs.