City councils to decide if Alpine School District split should be added to November ballot

UTAH COUNTY, Utah — Several cities from the Alpine School District will vote Tuesday on whether to put a school district split on the ballot.

The Alpine School district has seen a lot of growth in recent years. It now serves more than 86,000 students. Leaders have been trying to figure out if splitting the district in two or three would better serve and represent every city in the district.

“There are a lot of needs throughout the district. The taxes are going up, no matter what configuration, even if we stay together,” Lehi city councilmember Heather Newall said. “So I think the more the public knows and understands what we are going to be facing, the more they’re going to be able to support and be on board and be able to work through those challenges.”

Newall said there has been a 45-day public comment period, informing city councils on public opinion.

“The majority sentiment has been to put it on the ballot–that they want to decide,” Newall said. “But where it’s been more split, is determining how they are going to vote. I think a lot of the public is still studying this and still trying to determine what is going to be the best configuration.”

The public will vote on the Alpine School District split

The city councils from the proposed Central School District and West School District took those opinions and will them to a vote this week. 

This morning Alpine City Council has voted in favor. The option to spit will be on the ballot come November for Alpine voters. 

There are 9 more city councils that will vote this week, before the option is on all ballots. 

Newell said that the City Councils can decide if it’s on the ballot. 

“It will be up to voters to determine whether or not these new school districts are formed,” Newall said.

 If the vote passes in November the new school districts are predicted to be ready by July 2027.

(Alpine School District)

Below are the details on the city council votes, provided by the proposed Central School District:

• 12 p.m. | Alpine City Hall, 20 N. Main Street, Alpine
• 4 p.m. | Lehi City Council Chambers, 153 N. 100 E., Lehi
• 6 p.m. | American Fork City Hall, 31 N. Church St., American Fork
• 6 p.m. | Community Recreation Center, 10640 N. Clubhouse Dr., Cedar Hills
• 7 p.m. | Draper Council Chambers, 1020 E. Pioneer Rd., Draper
• 7 p.m. | Highland City Council Chambers, 5400 W. Civic Center Dr., Highland

Additionally, cities with the proposed West School District will also vote Tuesday.

• 4 p.m. | Eagle Mountain Council Chambers, 1650 E. Stagecoach Run, Eagle Mountain 
• 6 p.m. | City of Saratoga Springs Council Chambers, 1307 N. Commerce Drive, Suite 200, Saratoga Springs
• Fairfield and Cedar Fort are also part of the inter-local agreement to join the West district; however, they do not currently have meeting agendas posted regarding this vote.

Related: Amid ‘tension’ in Alpine School District, board votes to study potential district reconfiguration