AMERICAN FORK -- JaLee Clarke was heartened by recommendations handed to the Alpine Board of Education altering the boundaries of six Orem elementary schools.
A 30-member boundary committee listened to requests by Clarke and other parents to either delay construction on a new school in northeast Orem or allow students living north of 1600 North to stay at Rocky Mountain and Northridge schools.The volunteer committee -- made up of parents, teachers and principals -- gave the five-member panel three recommendations to prepare for a proposed new $6.5 million school at about 950 North and 1250 East. Officials also want to reduce the headcount at all schools.
The first proposal tweaks the boundaries of Windsor, Orchard, Sharon, Cascade, Northridge and Rocky Mountain to shift 579 students to the new school.
Although enrollment at schools would decrease, nearly 850 students would remain at Northridge, allowing the school to keep special programs through an extended-day schedule.
A second plan on the table, according to Assistant Superintendent Gary Seastrand, is to simply wait before doing anything. Seastrand said the planning committee worries the school, if started now, would not be finished by next fall, forcing students into split sessions.
"A delay also would allow for more time to study the growth potential in east Lindon," he said. "With a delay, the district could evaluate boundary changes prior to the boundaries being finalized."
The school's site plans still need to gain approval from the Orem Planning Commission and City Council. Traffic concerns around the planned building also have not yet been addressed with the city's engineers.
The third option, which was loudly embraced by most parents at a lengthy meeting Tuesday, would keep the student populations the same at Northridge and Rocky Mountain without requiring students to cross busy 1600 North while traveling to school.
Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem, urged the board to delay the decision to study hot-spots of growth. But if a decision must be made now, he said, board members should refrain from asking students to cross 1600 North, a heavily traveled Orem artery referred to by locals as "I-16."
"That 1600 North issue is a real issue," said Valentine, whose children attend Orchard Elementary. "That is a dangerous proposal to have children walking down that road."
His comments were met with cheers from the some 200 parents in attendance, a good number of whom were holding posters cheering a plan to keep Northridge and Rocky Mountain the same.
"Safety is a critical issue and understandably so," said Superintendent Steven C. Baugh.
Facing an anticipated 7,000-student enrollment surge in the next four years, district officials in June won approval for a $60 million bond and $6.9 million leeway to build four new schools and renovate 17 others. Taxes increased $63.50 on a $100,000 house as a result.
Countering complaints from wary parents that their voices are going unheard, board president Marilyn Kofford said the board always weighs public input in its deliberations.
A vote on the boundary changes is scheduled for Jan. 12.
"I think if you look at the options, the committee listened to input," Kofford said. "We've read your letters, the minutes (of meetings) and returned your calls as soon as possible."
"There is a real interest," agreed board member Linda Campbell, "in being as open as possible."