Alpine School District meetings to provide public comment opportunity

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AMERICAN FORK, Utah — This week, a company contracted with Alpine School District will hold the first public meetings on proposed changes to the largest district in Utah. 

The district continues to see children enter their school boundaries. Last year, the district hired MGT Consulting, a Florida-based company, to explore solutions for the growth. 

Alpine School District recently published a video explaining why it chose MGT consulting. 

The first public comment meetings will be held this week from March 12 to March 14. On Tuesday, a meeting will be held at Timpanogos High School. Vista Heights Middle School will host a meeting on Wednesday, and on Thursday, American Fork Junior High will host one. 

Proposed Alpine School District changes

MGT Consulting has proposed a total of six options. 

Firstly, the district could remain as one. 

“A very viable option is to stay together as a district. And that’s something the board is going to have to consider,” said Shane Farnsworth, the superintendent of Alpine School District. 

Options two and three would split the district in half, creating east and west districts. With Lehi in the middle, one option would include it in the western district. The other would include it in the eastern. 

Options four, five, and six would split the district into three, an east, central, and west district. 

While each of the configurations attempts to present an even financial playing field, Farnsworth said that an east district would be at a financial disadvantage. 

“Income tax is based upon enrollment; property tax is based upon taxable values. So, you want to pay attention to not only enrollment but also, what is a taxable value of that possible reconfiguration?” Farnsworth said.  

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