Public meetings on school plans set

AMERICAN FORK — Want to speak your piece about Alpine School District's plan to borrow money to finance the construction of new schools?

Alpine's Board of Education will take your comments at four public meetings starting at 7 p.m. tonight at Lone Peak High School, 10189 N. 4800 West, Highland.

The district hopes to build four to six new elementary schools, one or two new middle schools and up to two new high schools.

Cost will be at least $200 million. The district will need to seek a voter-approved bond issuance to get the money for the construction.

"We're just kind of flexible. We're going out to see what the community feeling is," said JoDee Sundberg, school board president. "Our main goal is that we will not raise the property taxes of our patrons."

If voters approve a bond issuance, the district plans to avoid increasing property taxes by layering on the new debt while paying off current debt.

That, with increased tax revenue from an expected rise in population, should keep the tax rate steady for individual property owners.

The public also can learn about the 2001 bond projects at the open houses, which will be at 7 p.m. the following dates and locations:

• March 30 — Pleasant Grove High School, 700 E. 200 South, Pleasant Grove

• April 4 — Mountain View High School, 665 W. Center, Orem

• April 6 — Lehi High School, 180 N. 500 East, Lehi