Teresa Kocherhans' daughter was on break from her year-round school schedule when the rest of her kindergarten class learned three letters of the alphabet.

The lesson was missed by those students in the class on mandatory vacation."Students are missing parts of the curriculum. This is a simple, indisputable fact," said Kocherans, whose four children attend Orchard Elementary School. "Letters and numbers are not small things to miss. Her teacher is wonderful, but she can only do so much."

Students attending Orem elementary schools such as Orchard have been placed in year-round classes or extended-day periods to ease overcrowding.

Schools in the 45,000-student district - the 96th largest in the nation - are bursting at the seams. New technology systems and academic programs also are needed.

Kocherans believes another school is the solution. So does the Alpine School Board.

And it seems willing to ask the public for up to $60 million to do it.

But the avenue open to pay for four new schools, a renovation of existing buildings and a decrease in the teacher-to-student ratio is a general obligation bond and leeway initiative on the May 5 ballot.

School board members must de-cide by March 10 if they will pursue public approval.

Under the proposal, residents would pay about an extra $45 a year in property taxes on a house valued at $100,000 for the bond and leeway combined, said Superintendent Steven C. Baugh.

Baugh said the bond would be retired in 15 years. As part of the state's public education system, the bond would receive Utah's triple-A credit rating, a favorable condition for investors.

"I've been asked a few times if we have money from the system to do those things," Baugh said. "The answer is no."

A $98 million general obligation bond that was passed in 1994 was allocated to the construction of two high schools and four elementary schools. A 1992 bond issuance for $30 million also paid for new schools.

Residents like Kocherans and Don Mullins are pushing for a school in northeast Orem - instead of northern parts of the county.

Mullins said that while Orem provides 50 percent of the district's funding the city has 15 of the 34 elementary schools. Nine of the 15 are operating under year-round or extended-day programs because of overcrowding.

Only five of 19 schools north of Orem are at such critical enrollment levels, he said.

"The growth pattern is deceptive," he said, adding that 500 new homes are being planned for subdivisions. "Orem will grow faster by far than any of its sister cities."

Parent Mark Hansen said an organized group is behind the effort to get a new school in northeast Orem. A flier distributed by concerned parents spurred him to attend a town meeting about the bond issuance Tuesday at Timpanogos High School.

He warned the school board that the same group could campaign against the bond if the board swings away from considering a school site near Orchard.

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"I think we are doing a terrible disservice to our children," he said. "If a new school in Orem is not included in the bond then we will oppose it."

Baugh said board members are looking at land in northeast Orem for a new school. Another potential site is in Highland. Possibilities are also in Vineyard, Lehi and Lindon, he said.

"Before you cast your votes, you will know where some schools will go," he said. The board will designate locations of at least two schools by May 5 but will hold off designating specific spots for the other two to analyze growth patterns.

"Nothing is black and white right now," said board member Marilyn Kofford. "Nothing says that north is where the schools will be."

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