The recent decision to divide the Alpine School District has led to the formation of a new district, provisionally named the Timpanogos School District, encompassing Vineyard, Orem, Lindon, and Pleasant Grove. This transition presents both challenges and opportunities for our community. One significant concern is the potential for increased taxes to fund the new district. It’s crucial that Vineyard takes a proactive role in informing and involving our residents throughout this process to ensure transparency and responsible decision-making.

As a coach at Mountain View High School in Orem, I have witnessed firsthand the demographic shifts affecting our public schools. With Vineyard’s rapid growth, there’s an evident need for additional educational infrastructure, particularly a new middle school within our city. Establishing such a facility would provide our students with accessible, safe, and high-quality educational opportunities close to home.

However, one of the most pressing issues Vineyard faces in this transition is how the Redevelopment Agency (RDA) impacts school funding. The RDA was designed to clean up the Geneva Steel site and bring in commercial businesses to expand our tax base, but because of the way it is structured, it diverts property tax revenue away from education and into RDA projects instead. This creates a serious concern for the new Timpanogos School District, as much of Vineyard’s future development—especially in the Utah City area—is within the RDA. That means many new residents won’t be contributing their full share of property taxes to fund the new school district, putting a greater financial burden on the other cities in the district. Orem, Lindon, and Pleasant Grove have already expressed concerns about this imbalance, and it’s critical that Vineyard addresses this issue before it creates further challenges for our schools.

Vineyard must take the lead in shaping the future of education for our community. This is not just about adjusting to change—it’s about planning ahead to ensure our schools are equipped to meet the needs of future generations. We must engage not just city officials but also educators, parents, and community leaders to make informed, responsible decisions that prioritize students while ensuring financial responsibility. I want to push for education taxes to be completely removed from the RDA so that every tax dollar meant for our schools actually goes to our schools. By stepping up and leading this transition, Vineyard can create a strong foundation for a district that truly serves its residents now and in the years to come.