150,000 students return for new school year in Utah
Aug 15, 2024, 2:34 PM
Lehi Junior High, an Alpine School District school, is pictured. (Alpine School District)
(Alpine School District)
SALT LAKE CITY — Kids in Utah’s two largest school districts headed back to the classroom on Thursday, including about 85,000 students in the Alpine School District.
More than 70,000 students in the Davis School District, the second-largest district in Utah, also returned to class this morning.
Cities ponder leaving Alpine District
Alpine School District Communications Director Rich Stowell addressed starting the school year with several cities considering breaking away from the district. He said it doesn’t change anything for them.
“Our core is making sure students have excellent education experiences. And if anything, it helps us focus on our mission better.”
On Tuesday, the Alpine District Board of Education voted to increase taxes by almost 7%.
If the six cities — Alpine, American Fork, Cedar Hills, Draper, Highland and Lehi — vote in November to split from the district, Stowell said the tax hike will remain in place.
“One of the big needs is facilities. We do need new schools, especially in the western part of our district,” he said. “We are building a middle school and we’re excited for that to open next year.”
As Utah students return, parents appreciate full-day kindergarten
Stowell said this is the first year the district is offering full-day kindergarten districtwide, which he said a lot of parents are happy about.
“Some families opted for half-day kindergarten. But those families will also have the option of switching to a full-day model at any time.”
