Boundaries approved for 2 new Alpine schools, principal named today
The school board voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve the elementary and high school boundaries during its board meeting at Suncrest Elementary School in Orem.
The next step is to get the school's administration going. The elementary principal is planned to be announced this morning. The principal of the new high school in Saratoga Springs may be announced in March, district officials said.
After the principal is set, the plan is to organize the PTA and then name the school — an action that could be controversial, district officials say.
Board members reviewed the district's policy on naming of new schools during a study session Tuesday afternoon.
Alpine District superintendent Vernon Henshaw said the district doesn't intend to change its school naming policy at this time. "We want to reaffirm this is where we are going," Henshaw said.
He emphasized the idea of unifying a community with a school's name. For example, Timpanogos High School sits at the base of the mountain. Harvest Elementary School is in the Harvest Hills area.
Committee members will be selected by PTA officers and the school principal, then submitted to the school board for final approval.
Once established, the committee will conduct a survey, sampling students, PTA members and other residents of the attendance area. Suggestions from students, patrons and other residents of the area may be requested.
"I remember when we named Timpanogos High School, there were around 100 ideas for names," Henshaw said.
The committee will then present three recommended names to the school board, ranking them in order of preference.
According to district policy, the names should "reflect the circumstances of all of the students who will attend the school," recognizing that often students attend from different communities.
The school board has the final prerogative to approve the name of the new school, according to the policy.
As approved by the board Tuesday night, the high school boundaries will follow the Jordan River. Students living east of the river will attend Lehi High School, while those residing west will go to the new Saratoga Springs High School.
Boundaries of the new elementary school in Eagle Mountain will include three main areas: North Ranches area, north of state Route 73; The Ranches, west of The Ranches Parkway; and The Ranches, south of Pony Express Parkway and west of the power-line easement.
Recent comments
How about Point of the Mountain High School?
Mountain Point High…Idea for Name... | Jan. 30, 2008 at 8:50 a.m.
There-goes-my-property-taxes High School....you heard it here second…
overtaxed | Jan. 23, 2008 at 1:25 p.m.
West Lake High School. You heard it here first.
Mark S | Jan. 23, 2008 at 6:07 a.m.
