Four Orem residents vie for the Precinct 4 seat Linda Campbell has held on the Alpine Board of Education since Ronald Reagan was president.
Since Campbell took office 12 years ago, the district has experienced stretched budgets, teacher strikes, technological booms and growth-related challenges.Times change, but many of the district's problems remain the same.
For example, because of a small tax base, Alpine, the fastest-growing Utah district, remains last out of 40 districts in state funding to operate 53 elementary, secondary and special-education schools.
As a result, Alpine officials frenetically stump for a $66.9 million general-obligation bond issuance and leeway proposal to pay for at least four new elementary schools, renovations of up to 11 of the oldest district buildings, technology upgrades, textbooks and literacy programs.
The leeway and bond issuance, which would increase property taxes incrementally from $30.50 to $63.50 in three years on a $100,000 house, will appear as separate items on the ballot.
Taxes would rise $14 a month on a $100,000 house if only the bond passes.
Some 45,000 students attend Alpine district schools. Nearly 7,000 more are expected to enroll by 2002, giving rise to overcrowding and funding concerns.
Newcomers Phyllis Anderson, Deor Jensen, Gary L. Phelps and JoDee Sundberg say they are ready to face the challenges of the 45,000-student district. The two top vote-getters will face off in the final election.
Precinct 4 covers southwest and west-central Orem.
Bypassing a primary, American Fork resident James G. Hunter will challenge incumbent Marilyn Kofford for the Precinct 5 seat, to represent Lehi, Highland, Alpine and north American Fork.
Phyllis A. Anderson
Age: 51
Address: 151 W. 1700 South, Orem.
Occupation: Mother, business manager.
Personal: Married to Glen Lee Anderson. Has six children and five grandchildren. Attended Brigham Young University, majoring in elementary education.
Experience: Substitute teacher, part-time teacher for private schools, bookkeeping and public relations.
Why are you running? "I want to make a difference for the future of my grandchildren and yours."
What is the district's most pressing issue? "We have some of the best teachers working with the greatest students; but our students are not mastering the basic, fundamental skills of reading, writing and math."
Do you support the bond and leeway? "I agree it is important to have smaller classes, renovate old schools and acquire new buildings. It is not right that the taxpayers should be hit with another tax increase."
She stresses she has not received any funding from the Utah Education Association or the group's affiliates. "If elected I will represent the taxpayers."
Parental involvement in policy? "Since the parents are responsible and are affected by the decisions made in their child's life, they should be able to have the final input about their own child. The parents pay the school taxes and they should be able to have more control over how that money is spent."
Tidbits: Worked with young people for some 40 years in 4-H, Cub Scouts, and Primary and Young Women classes in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "Over the years I have noted the young people's skills at reading have become worse. Depriving a child of the ability to read takes away their choices and makes them dependent on the opinions of others.
"They are easily swayed. Every child deserves to be educated."
Deor Jensen
Age: 50
Address: 272 S. 800 West, Orem.
Occupation: Retired Air Force officer.
Personal: Married 28 years to Linda Jensen; three children, Jani, Kendall and Ann.
Experience: Earned bachelor's degree from Southern Utah University, graduate of USAF pilot and tactical fighter training, nearly 30 years' experience managing programs, teaching and developing instructional material.
Why run for office? "I'm seeking the seat of the school board at the suggestion of a good friend and former Alpine educator, Gareth Seastrand.
"During my 20 years of service in the Air Force, our family was required to move so often that I was never able to become involved in community service.
"However, my work always kept me engaged in training and education.
"Since we settled here in Orem, I've enjoyed volunteering at the Orem Heritage Museum at SCERA. I feel like now is the time, the school board is the place where I can effectively serve."
What is the district's most pressing issue? "We live in the fastest-growing school district in Utah. The Alpine School District projects an increase of more than 7,000 students in the next four years. That's equivalent to four or five new schools. Accommodating for growth while maintaining the district's tradition of excellent education is a very critical issue."
Do you support the bond and leeway? "I support the bond and leeway proposals because this revenue, if wisely managed, will help the district accommodate its rapid growth. Tax increases are seldom popular but at least we know that this tax money will stay in our school district.
"Also, the state will match every 60 cents raised through the leeway with an additional 40 cents. My children are no longer in school, but I'm willing to make a yearly payment of $63.50 on a $100,000 assessed home to help educate students now entering our schools. Fifty years ago, some good folks did the same for me."
Parental involvement in policy? "Students and parents are essentially the school district's `customers.' As such, parents should have opportunities to influence policy decisions. Monthly school board meetings are just one forum at which parents may express their concerns. I favor local decision-making and involvement in the PTA."
Tidbits: Won the Alaska Air Command "Top Gun" bombing competition and participated in Gunsmoke '87, the U.S. Air Force worldwide gunnery competition.
Gary L. Phelps
Age: 56
Address: 704 S. Woodmore Drive, Orem.
Occupation: Director of the Center for Web-based learning at Utah Valley State College.
Personal: Father of 10; five still in Alpine schools. Advocate of technology.
Experience: Earned master's degree from Brigham Young University and bachelor's degree from University of Utah. Started UVSC's job training center, has taught college, high school and junior high classes and directs a federal "America Reads" phonics program in elementary schools.
Why run for office? "For me, there are few things as vital as the education of our children.
"There is much which can and should be done to help our children prepare for and compete in a global information society. I believe that by being a board member I can simultaneously serve my community by representing children and their parents to help establish policies which enhance their future."
What is the district's most pressing issue? "Based upon feedback from surveys from 200 fellow parents during the past two months, the most pressing concern is a communications chasm between local school administrators and parents.
"While many of the principals are careful to involve parents in key school decisions, there are some who are not. I feel strongly that parents are responsible for their children's behavior; schools and teachers are responsible for teaching skills and competencies."
Do you support the bond and leeway? "I am voting for both the bond and the leeway. Even though I don't like to spend money - mine or anyone else's - I feel that our growth warrants this kind of investment. At the same time, I hope that we as parents and patrons realize that the district will still have to remodel, purchase satellite units and make boundary adjustments."
Parental involvement in policy? "Parents and their children are the customers. Our public system is intended to reflect the values of the families who constitute the individual schools. . . . My hope is that parents will become more aware of existing policies and work to make changes they feel are necessary. If elected, I hope to establish an electronic process for securing and evaluating feedback and making decisions based on parental/patron input."
Tidbits: "As a young widower whose baby turned 4 the day we buried her mother, I have a deep appreciation for mothers. I learned during nearly a year as a single parent that I could not function properly without a positive support system."
JoDee Sundberg
Age: 43
Address: 478 S. 520 West, Orem.
Occupation: Homemaker, teacher.
Personal: Married 20 years to Jay Sundberg; four children, Jason, Brett, Krista, Karlee.
Experience: Orem Elementary School teacher, substitute teacher, PTA president, parent-advisory committees, Alpine Credit Union member, coach of girls soccer and basketball teams, Orem Little League Board, church leadership service.
Why are you running? "I have a vested interest in the public schools because that is where my children are. Also, I believe I can make a difference. I will be available to visit and interact with schools daily for school events or to help determine individual school needs.
"I have spent significant time in public schools on each level as a parent and teacher and feel I have a working knowledge about current needs of public education. I am familiar with and educated about current school policies and procedures and will continue to help promote effective school learning centers with a positive learning climate."
What is the district's most pressing issue? "Growth. Alpine is the fastest-growing district in Utah. This growth is not confined to the north end of the school district, as Orem is still one of the fastest-growing cities.
"We need to provide a quality education to all of our children, including excellent teachers, textbooks, technology and building space. Growth in our school district is projected at more than 1,000 children per year. Our children need to be educated in efficient and safe buildings without adding more satellites and trailers but using brick and mortar.
"We need to be able to continue to plan for the future growth without compromising our children's education."
Do you support the bond and leeway? "Yes! The bond and leeway will provide improved learning opportunities and better facilities for our children. . . . Both the bond and leeway are needed to work together for the sake of our children."
Parental involvement in policy? "I firmly believe that parents play a significant role in the education of their child, and when working with the teacher and administrator, the best possible education can occur.
"I have been involved first-hand with site-based planning on an elementary school level with parents, teachers and administrators working together to create discipline, educational and social guidelines, and a mission statement that created an excellent learning center for all children.
"Because parents were involved in the planning process, there was a greater commitment to the education process . . . to work together for the children."
Tidbits: While on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Perth, Australia, she organized and choreographed a dance production of 200 youths for Perth's 150-year celebration.