The successor organizations to Alpine School District have approved a historic agreement regarding the distribution of assets and liabilities, marking a major milestone in the smooth transition to three new school districts in Utah County.
The boards of Aspen Peaks, Lake Mountain, and Timpanogos school districts approved the agreement following months-long collaborative negotiations. The agreement reflects sacrifices and concessions from all sides to directly address the unique needs and challenges each new district will face.
“The unanimous ratification of this agreement by the new district boards is huge and speaks to the hard work done by really good people,” said Rob Smith, superintendent of Alpine School District.
Board presidents and district superintendents participated in the collaborative sessions, as prescribed by state law. Smith facilitated many of the sessions.
While Alpine School District maintains full responsibility for all schools and assets until the official transition on July 1, 2027, this agreement ensures that key resources are strategically positioned for the upcoming school year and the transition period ahead.
“While negotiations required difficult decisions, all three district teams maintained a mutual respect and dignity that kept us moving forward productively,” said Dr. Joe Jensen, superintendent of Timpanogos School District.
Key highlights of the agreement include:
Employee benefits and protections: Current Alpine School District employees transitioning to the new districts will have their vacation hours and associated obligations carried over. Additionally, the agreement secures other post-retirement benefits for qualifying employees even if they transfer among the three new districts in the future.
School-specific funding: Student activity funds and Alpine Foundation accounts already assigned to a specific school or program will remain with the district where that school is physically located.
Unassigned resource allocation: All remaining unassigned funds will be divided based on final student enrollment percentages, to be finalized by June 30, 2027.
Based on current student enrollment, the agreed-upon resource distribution percentages are established as follows:
Aspen Peaks School District (APSD): 41.78%
Lake Mountain School District (LMSD): 30.16%
Timpanogos School District (TSD): 28.06%
The agreement contains a covenant of good faith, which reads in part:
“The Parties pledge to operate in a spirit of transparency, mutual professionalism, and good faith throughout the division and allocation of physical assets, personnel, financial instruments, and digital infrastructure among the three participating districts. It is the express intent of the Parties that the transition be executed collaboratively to ensure that all three new districts achieve full, unhindered operational readiness.
“The real story is how we were able to keep the needs of all students, no matter the district, as our focus,” said Diane Knight, president of the Aspen Peaks Board of Education. “This was not about winners and losers. This was about creating three strong districts.”