Unfortunately, forming a separate school district would take us in the opposite direction. For example, an Orem-only district would receive less federal and state funding, and we would no longer benefit from ASD’s economies of scale. For every extra dollar Orem contributes to ASD’s bonds, we receive more than $8 of operating revenue. That has enabled Orem to have smaller schools and class sizes than the rest of the district. Just to maintain current levels of service if we split, property taxes on a median Orem home would increase over $900 a year.

As a PTA member, I am proud that every PTA Council in Orem, 90% of PTA members, and 91% of Orem teachers oppose Proposition 2. We all want students in our community to learn from the best teachers. Let us start by listening and trusting their expertise on what will drive success in the classroom. With 84% indicating they will seek a transfer to another ASD school if Orem splits, I fear an Orem-only school district would struggle to find enough teachers amid an already difficult teacher shortage.

This is a multi-generational decision that will affect every member of our community. Due to the profound impact on students, teachers, and taxpayers, this issue should be given adequate time and attention to ensure city leaders and voters are equipped with the most accurate information possible.

Instead, over the last nine months, four members of Orem’s City Council have methodically depicted an inaccurate portrayal of the district to justify an Orem-only split. They have abandoned standard policies and procedures; misrepresented school finances, facilities, administrators, teachers, and board representatives; and acted in several ways that pushed ethical or legal boundaries.

As a former City Council member, I am especially disheartened the Mayor and Council majority have:

1. Cast aside working relationships with the district and neighboring communities, including canceling public meetings that were held regularly for many years
2. Restructured the city’s legal counsel to appoint a political ally as a Council-specific attorney outside standard hiring practices and with negligible experience in municipal law
3. Departed from the city’s standard bid selection process to award the feasibility study to the least qualified firm that bid, despite the company’s admitted bias to split districts
4. Used city staff and resources to perform elements of the study that should have been completed independently by the consulting firm
5. Violated the privacy of private citizens and school staff by publishing sensitive personal information obtained from records requests targeting specific school volunteers
6. Quietly hired a separate PR firm before the feasibility study was completed to advocate for an issue they intended to send to the ballot
7. Misrepresented the safety and state of our schools, ignoring significant investments the district has made to rebuild and renovate Orem schools
8. Modified the structure of Council meetings and public hearings to limit opportunities for citizens and even dissenting Council members to voice their concerns
9. Added controversial agenda items and votes with no prior communication to the rest of the Council
10. Blocked portions of Council meeting broadcasts to conceal public comments and inappropriate Council actions related to multiple ballot propositions

Like many Orem residents, I remain open to the possibility of an eventual split of the ever-growing Alpine School District. However, that will require an open, collaborative process that considers the best interests of all stakeholders involved. This proposal to form an Orem-only district was inappropriately rushed, and Orem citizens and schools deserve better. If Orem voters decide next month to split, there is no turning back.

I applaud council members Lambson, Lauret and Macdonald for voicing concerns about the treacherous path that led us here. Whether you wish to remain with ASD, believe there is a better way to study a district split, or worry about how the council majority might lead our community through such a transformative period, voting No on Proposition 2 will give our community more time to make the best decision.

Sam Lentz served on the Orem City Council from 2016-2019.