Several towns plan to join forces to create new school district

DRAPER, Utah (KUTV) — Draper City and Highland held public hearings at their city council meetings Tuesday night to debate whether to separate from the Alpine School District to create a new school district.

“Starting something from scratch has a lot of challenges,” said Sean Heath, an American Fork parent.

The Utah County portion of Draper, Lehi, Highland, Alpine, Cedar Hills and American Fork voted to join an interlocal agreement to debate the issue.

PREVIOUS: Voters can choose between three proposals for splitting Alpine School District

“Anytime you’re expanding and growing out of necessity, I feel like those challenges, even though they’re challenges, are good challenges to take on,” Heath said.

A feasibility study concluded that a new school district comprised of these six towns is a viable alternative, offering an opportunity for increased local control and potential tax savings compared to the Alpine School District.

“If it saves us money, you know, that would be really nice,” said Paul Eischens, a grandparent with nine grandchildren in what would become the new district.

He said he could support a division of the district, but he understands it is not without risk.

“They have to go to school somewhere, and so we have to make sure we have enough schools for the kids,” Eischens said.

Public comment is open until August 2. The City Council will decide whether to put the issue to a vote.

If approved, a new board would begin operations in November 2027.

For more information, visit centralschooldistrict.org.

___