Orem council meets Timpanogos School District board on boundaries, finances and a special education site at Sharon Elementary
April 15, 2026, 12:30 p.m. · 56 North State Street, Orem (City Council Conference Room)
In a joint meeting, the Orem council and the Timpanogos School District board discussed a boundary study, a projected $19 million budget gap, plans to use the Sharon Elementary site for special education and transition programs, and bus routes for nearby students. No votes were taken.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Presentation
School district overview and boundary study
Discussed
School board President Jennifer Lyman said the district has hired Superintendent Joe Jensen and a leadership team, named itself Timpanogos School District and toured all 29 school facilities. It will launch a 'North to South' boundary study. Council Member Millett said residents without children feel overlooked; the board agreed to add a 'School District Corner' in city newsletters. The official handoff from Alpine School District is July 1, 2027, with staff shifting gradually starting July 2026. Enrollment is 23,325 across 31 facilities, projected to fall to 20,000 by 2030; about 30.5% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Budget
Projected school district finances
Discussed
Business Administrator Jason Sundberg said the district would have had a $19 million deficit on a roughly $225 million budget had it operated independently in FY2025. One option is moving $20 to $22 million a year of capital increments to operations, which would leave no dedicated building fund. The FY2028 budget is due in spring 2027 and could involve Truth in Taxation hearings. Council Members Muhlestein and Millett urged the board to negotiate firmly in Vineyard redevelopment areas, and Millett proposed a joint legislative push to scale the 45% primary residential exemption back toward 30% for large investor-owned apartments.
- Budget$19.0 million
- Budget$10.0 million
Roads and utilities
Sharon Elementary site for special education and transition programs
Discussed
Board Vice President Sterling Hilton said the Sharon Elementary site will be renovated beginning in August to house a specialized K-12 school for students with severe disabilities (about 100 students) and an 18-22 transition program (125 to 150 students), using a $10 million capital 'pre-load' as a temporary three-to-five-year step. Council Member Millett asked about expanding space for the Giant Steps autism preschool run with Wasatch Mental Health. The district asked the city for help getting UTA service on 400 East, and the city manager offered contacts.
Other
Communication, bus routes and legislative priorities
Discussed
The boards discussed meeting quarterly or in small liaison groups. The council raised concern about possibly ending junior high bus routes for students within 1.2 miles, noting that hazard crossings on State Street, University Parkway and 800 North cost about $280,000 per HAWK signal, and the board proposed a rubric for safe-route exceptions. Both bodies named local control as a shared priority and the council said it would support future general obligation bonds.
What residents said
School bus routes and student safetySchool district budget gapSpecial education space