Orem council and Alpine School District board discuss school safety and district split options
April 30, 2024, 4:00 p.m. · City Council Conference Room, 56 North State Street, Orem
The Orem City Council met jointly with members of the Alpine School District board and administration in a special work session. They discussed traffic safety near elementary schools, the district's two proposed reorganization options (a two-way and a three-way split) and whether Orem should sign an interlocal agreement, plus Windsor Elementary and a dual-language immersion magnet at Orchard Elementary. No actions were taken.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| School traffic safety | Discussed |
| District reorganization options and interlocal agreement | Discussed |
| Windsor Elementary and Orchard Elementary dual-language magnet | Discussed |
Agenda, item by item
Item Safety · Roads and utilities
School traffic safety
Discussed
Board member Ada Wilson asked that the 400 South and 600 West intersection, a four-way stop during water tank construction, stay that way; city staff plan a traffic study after construction. Orem's traffic engineer said Cascade Elementary has added safety bollards, will adjust a HAWK signal and add two crossing guards next year, while Northridge Elementary has been offered options such as narrower lanes and removing parking in key places. Near Bonneville Elementary the city is designing a high-visibility crosswalk and bike lanes where the sidewalk ends on 1200 West.
Item Split options · Other
District reorganization options and interlocal agreement
Discussed
Superintendent Shane Farnsworth said the board recommended further study of option 3 (a two-way split) and option 4 (a three-way split), with public hearings June 11 and June 25 and a July 12 board decision on any ballot propositions. Orem, Lindon, Pleasant Grove and Vineyard were the only four cities without an interlocal agreement. Board member Ada Wilson favored a district-wide vote and said a three-way split would be the most disruptive and expensive; Board member Stacy Bateman said an interlocal gives each area a say, while declining one lets citizens vote on the district's options; Council Member LaNae Millett favored an interlocal agreement so cities in an area vote on a split; Council Member Tom Macdonald and Mayor David Young worried the ballot could be confusing; Mayor Young and Millett asked for more public information on school conditions and costs. The board said survey respondents in every cluster most often chose not to split but also wanted a split on the ballot.
Item Elementary · Other
Windsor Elementary and Orchard Elementary dual-language magnet
Discussed
Mayor Young asked that Windsor Elementary stay open; Ms. Wilson said closing schools and creating magnet schools is paused until the 2025-26 school year. Council Member David Spencer worried nearby children not in the dual-language program at Orchard Elementary might have to attend a school farther away, and Council Member Millett worried moving the program could hasten Windsor's closure.
What residents said
Traffic safety near schoolsSchool district splitSchool closures