OREM -- A bevy of boundary-change proposals that would affect at least six Orem elementary schools have been roundly denounced by vocal parents and teachers this week.

Disenchanted with four realignment designs crafted last month by a 30-member committee of teachers, parents and district staff, a growing number of vocal parents have offered another plan.The proposal suggests keeping students who live north of 1600 North at Northridge and Rocky Mountain elementary schools, which are both located north of the heavily traveled Orem thoroughfare.

"Then, adapt the best of the other plans to Orchard, Windsor, Sharon and Cascade in order to commence a population for the new school," said Jim Ferrin, a proponent of the option.

Unveiled Thursday at a public hearing, the unofficial realignment option, touted as the "Gold Plan," was met with applause and cheers by nearly 200 parents and teachers.

With a nod to bus routes, safety hazards, natural boundaries and anticipated growth spurts, the district's current proposals force student-body changes to all of the Orem schools.

Keith Clegg, though, believes children should not have to cross 1600 North, one of the busiest roads in Orem. His sentiments were echoed by dozens of other parents who have weighed in on the hotly debated boundary switches at public hearings this week.

"To me, safety is so much more important than school size," he said. "I can't imagine my kids crossing 1600 North. I would adamantly oppose any plan that would force us to cross that road."

Alpine's Board of Education will vote Jan. 12 to change boundaries in preparation for next year's opening of a $6.5 million elementary school at 950 North and 1250 East in Orem.

A final proposal for the Orem boundary changes will be discussed at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the board's chambers in Alpine's district offices, 575 N. 100 East, American Fork.

Funds from a $60-million general obligation bond issuance will be used to build and renovate schools. Passage of the bond and $6.9 million leeway increased annual taxes on $100,000 property $63.50 over three years. Voters approved the funding package in June.

Board members want to reduce headcounts in filled-to-capacity Alpine schools.

Northridge administrators accommodate a burgeoning enrollment by operating an extended-day program. Orchard Elementary is on the year-round schedule.

Parents of students at Northridge like Steve Moran, however, want to keep the longer day because if offers such additional programs as chorus, ballroom dancing and Spanish classes.

"Students are excelling, not suffering," Moran said.

Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem, also supports the "Gold Plan."

In a letter to district officials, Valentine, a patron of Orchard Elementary School, said while some studies indicate that schools with smaller student-body figures serve students well, parent involvement is the most vital key to a good education.

View Comments

Parent JaLee Clarke said 81 percent of parents with children at Northridge favor the extended-day schedule, according to a recent informal survey. In addition, she said, nearly all the school's teachers support an extended-day schedule.

Teachers, however, would lose income if their daily teaching hours were cut from the extended-day to the traditional school-day schedules.

Gary Seastrand, Alpine's assistant superintendent, patiently listened to more than 15 hours of public comment this week, all the time jotting down notes to share with the volunteer boundary committee, which will meet today to finalize a proposal for the school board.

All input will be considered by the group, which has "diligently created options" for parents and school board members to consider for the new boundaries, Seastrand said.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.