Ashtyn Asay, Daily Herald file photo

With Election Day now less than a week away and early voting open in Utah County, the fate of the Alpine School District’s future looms.

Two questions on the general election ballot will give voters across most of northern Utah County a choice on whether or not to split up Utah’s largest school district.

Proposition 11 is a ballot question seeking a yes or no answer on the creation of a new school district — tentatively named the Central School District — encompassing the cities of Alpine, Lehi, American Fork, Cedar Hills, Highland and a portion of Draper that sits within Utah County.

Proposition 14 asks voters a similar question regarding the creation of another new school district — the West School District –drawing together the cities of Cedar Fort, Eagle Mountain, Fairfield and Saratoga Springs.

If both fail, Alpine School District would remain as it is.

Curtis Booker, Daily Herald

Scenarios could vary if only one of the propositions moves forward, depending on which ballot measure voters approve — though it would likely still end with the dissolution of Alpine School District.

The ballot questions are the result of each of the aforementioned cities voting earlier this year to enter into interlocal agreements.

Leaders in both areas say creating new districts could help retain local tax dollars, increase representation among the varying schools and address student population growth, among other factors.

The Utah County Elections Division recently sent out voter information pamphlets to residents in those 10 cities that would be impacted by an approval of propositions 11 and 14.

The pamphlet contains information about the question of creating a new district as well as arguments and rebuttals in support or against the propositions expressed by various city leaders, elected officials, school board members, local educators and residents.

Curtis Booker, Daily Herald

Amid the support and pushback, local political leaders and groups seemingly have taken a stance.

Both propositions have been endorsed by county chapters of three major political parties, according to a press release issued Oct. 11.

The Utah County Republican Party expressed its support in endorsing both split measures during a committee meeting last month.

“As our platform states, ‘We favor local accountability and control in all aspects of the education system.’ We support greater representation and greater municipal input,” Utah County Republican Party Chair Cristy Henshaw said in a statement as part of the release. “We have sincere gratitude for the Alpine School District and the wonderful teachers and staff! Our appreciation is magnified by the past contributions and service of great educators who have worked tirelessly on behalf of a large portion of our county’s children.”

The Utah County Libertarian Party’s Executive Committee also voted unanimously last month to endorse dividing the district.

“It is a very rare opportunity for voters to be able to vote on splitting a government organization and I know a big initiative of the Libertarian Party is to reduce the size and scope of government organizations. Decentralization, localized power, and small governance are key tenets of Libertarianism,” Executive Committee member Jeremy Baker said in a statement.

Earlier this month, the Utah County Democratic Party’s Executive Committee also voted to endorse propositions 11 and 14.

“The growth and demographic shifts in northern Utah County demand a reevaluation of educational resources,” said Utah County Democratic Party Vice Chair Ann Schreck in the release, adding that she is an alumna of Alpine School District and is particularly invested in the opportunity to offer the best educational experience possible to northern Utah County students.

However, there also is strong opposition to both ballot measures.

In a recent article piece published by the Daily Herald, Pleasant Grove Mayor Guy Fugal questioned the need for a three-way split of the district — at this time.

He believes Alpine School District is successful, with high student achievement, and stated that teachers are satisfied working in the district.

“I spent 19 years on the (Alpine) school board and have seen firsthand the complexities and nuances of running a school district. The recommendations on any split should have come from the school board and not from city councils,” Fugal wrote.

City leaders and council members of Pleasant Grove, Lindon, Orem and Vineyard gathered for a combined meeting in May to explore forming their own interlocal agreement, but they decided against and won’t have a say regarding propositions 11 and 14 at the polls.

Alpine School District also was studying its own version of a split that could have also made the November ballot, but those plans were nixed during an emergency session with the passage of House Bill 3003 in June by state legislators.

Ada Wilson, a school board member, has been vocal on social media about staying together as one district and believes the district will be able get a bond to pass in 2025 that may help with some of the current capital needs in the district. She’s also optimistic about getting a new, long-awaited high school in Saratoga Springs built.

Cissy Rasmussen, an Orem resident and co-founder of the anti-split group Stronger Together, said the organization surveyed hundreds of  teachers and employees, many of whom reportedly were against a split.

Out of just over 1,800 respondents, the survey found that 64% opposed a split, 14% supported a split and 22% were undecided, according to data on Stronger Together’s website.

Rasmussen said even though her part of the district will not get a vote on proposition 11 or 14, the group wanted to ensure that teachers living those areas that chose not form interlocal agreements but work across boundary lines had a voice in the matter.

“The vote affects us, because this is our district too,” she told the Daily Herald. “We have the background to run a campaign and to gather volunteers and resources.”

Stronger Together also opposed Proposition 2, a 2022 ballot measure to split Orem from the Alpine School District.

Rasmussen says the group wants voters to understand the significant costs and consequences in the event a split is approved.

“Be aware that many of us aren’t voting, and so we’re relying on (residents who can vote on the matter) to make a good decision on our behalf,” Rasmussen said.

Ultimately, parents, community members and those living in the areas where interlocal agreements were formed will get to vote and make the call on the outcomes.

Whether both or one of the propositions pass on election night, it would be at least another two years before any new district is operational.

After new board members are elected, assets are divided and other steps are taken to form a new district — or districts — the earliest it would be up and running is fall 2027.