Two of the three new school districts being formed in Utah County have taken a major step in building their foundations.
During a special meeting held on Monday, the newly elected Aspen Peaks Board of Education voted unanimously in favor of appointing Joel Perkins as the inaugural superintendent.
Perkins is currently an associate superintendent in Alpine School District, a position he will continue in until June 30.
“This is my community. I have lived and worked here for the last 27 years. My family and I have invested our hearts and souls into the schools in this area. I love the students, families, and employees here. It is the honor of a lifetime to partner with this community to build the new Aspen Peaks School District,” said Perkins in a statement.
Perkins was the first principal of Skyridge High School, which opened in the fall of 2016. He also previously served as an assistant principal at Orem High School and as a principal at Lehi Jr. High School.
Diane Knight, president of Aspen Peaks Board of Education, called Perkins the “perfect person” to lead the new district into the future.
“Dr. Perkins is someone who meets people where they are, listens first and leads with his heart,” she told a packed room of attendees at the meeting.
The Aspen Peaks School District represents Alpine, American Fork, Cedar Hills, Highland, Lehi and a portion of Draper.
The superintendent naming is just one of a myriad of tasks to be completed in building a trio of new school districts, as a result of the 2024 general election, where residents across northern Utah County voted in favor of splitting the current Alpine School District into three new ones.
Like Knight, fellow board members expressed their confidence in Perkins’ leadership for the new district’s success.
“I’m so impressed with his ability to look at challenges within education that seem impossible to solve, and during the interviews that we had with him, his knowledge goes 12 layers deep. And he’s thinking about all of the implications and all of the obstacles, and he’s thinking about how we can overcome them, and that’s exactly what we were looking for,” said board member Nicki Brammer.
According to a press release from the district, Perkins’ priorities include establishing a clear district identity founded on gratitude, pursuing excellence through continuous improvement, and ensuring high levels of learning for all students.
Upon taking the oath of office, Perkins gave brief remarks on the importance of gratitude and recognizing the foundation laid by the Alpine School District in its present form.
“We are now entering a phase in which we are laying the foundation for a new school district that truly is on the shoulders of giants,” he said. “The Alpine School District and all those that have served in this incredible area for many, many years, have laid a foundation of excellence that we will honor.”
The Aspen Peaks board said it had initially planned more time for selecting a superintendent, as dozens applied for the role and were interviewed — but they didn’t want to prolong the process after they concluded that Perkins was the clear choice.
Between now and July 1, 2027, Perkins and the board will have to hire district staff, determine funding for learning programs, and consider school boundaries.
“As we build the Aspen Peaks School District, the single most important thing we can do as a board is to choose the right leader. Nothing matters more than getting this right for our students, for our employees, for our families and for our community,” Knight said.
Parents and community members are invited to an open house to meet Perkins on Wednesday, Jan. 28, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Alpine School District Office, located at 575 N. 100 East in American Fork.
Leaders also named in the West
Earlier on Monday, the board of education for the Lake Mountain School District named its inaugural leadership teams — Vicki Carter was selected as superintendent and Amanda Bollinger as deputy superintendent, according to a press release on its website.
The Lake Mountain board said it conducted a “rigorous search” that found more than 20 qualified applicants. They also commissioned a committee of 30 community members to assist in the selection process.
Carter, a veteran educator, according to the email, comes with more than three decades of experience and is dedicated to building a culture of trust, respect, and academic excellence. Bollinger brings 25 years in Utah education to her new role, with special expertise in curriculum and special education, the release states.
“We are proud to launch our district with such a distinguished team,” said Board President Julie King in a statement. “They are seamlessly aligned with our vision for innovation.”
The Lake Mountain School District encompasses schools in the cities west of Utah Lake, such as Cedar Fort, Eagle Mountain, Fairfield and Saratoga Springs.
As for the Timpanogos School District — covering the cities of Lindon, Pleasant Grove, Orem and Vineyard — School Board President Jen Lyman said in a video posted to Facebook on Friday, the board hopes to vote on a superintendent at its next meeting on Wednesday.
Though the new districts won’t officially open their doors until July 2027, officials say their work is already underway to establish policies and ensure dedicated staff members are in place, among other tasks, in anticipation of a new era of education in Utah County.