Orem City releases possible outcomes of a school district split

OREM, Utah — The Orem City Council is getting closer to letting voters decide on a split from the Alpine School District. On Wednesday, the city released six possible outcomes based on whether the district split and a bond proposal are approved.

A feasibility study looking into the split found that an Orem School District would be viable and stable. The district would be created by splitting from the Alpine School District.

On its Facebook page, Orem City outlined six possible financial outcomes revealed by the feasibility study.

The outcomes are based on whether voters pass a $595 million bond proposed by the district along with the split. The bond would be used for future schools and to update current schools in the district.

The outcomes would almost all increase property taxes for Orem residents. And if the bond passes, taxes would also increase for those in the Alpine District, split or no split.

The study found that the biggest increase in property taxes would come if Orem splits, the bond passes, and the new district also passes its own bond. That additional bond would then be used to existing issues with several schools involving safety in case of an earthquake.

But that’s just one of six scenarios the council is reviewing.

Only one option would lead to a tax decrease — if the district splits and the bond does not pass, the people left in the Alpine School District would have a slight decrease in property taxes.

The Council is considering putting the question up to voters in November.

The Orem City Council will take public comments and questions in their next meeting on Thursday, July 28.

Related: State says Orem did nothing wrong in hiring process for school feasibility study