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Show Reason eludes boundary dispute It's strange how people who are ordinarily admired for their good judgment become highly emotional, even By BETTY FOWLKK is discussed. And when the topic is a new junior high school for the Lehi area, the initial problem and its solution seem simple enough. The need for a new facility is unquestionable. And despite claims of certain persons who oppose building the school in the Lehi area, the site is adequate. It is easily accessible from both sides of Lehi, a city split The newly-name- d Pioneer Drive which passed in by front of Lehi High School will take students to the new school on the interstate overpass in that area. Lehi City officials have vowed to upgrade roads in the area for adequate access to the new school. And sewer lines are readily accessible. Also, the new school would permit the Alpine School District to resolve the overcrowding at American Fork Junior High; where 12 satellite units are already filled, by moving Some of those students to the new facility. The, new school would be large enough to provide an imprqved curriculum and adequate facilities. Oneof the problems is that to get a balance of students in both schools, the Board of Education is going to have to take some students from the current American Fork Junior High boundaries and put them in the boundaries for the new junior high school. And for the people in the affected area, that looks like a cure that's worse than the disease. That's not an uncommon feeling for people faced with a change of school boundaries. some of the solutions proposed by Highland . But residents who oppose the change indicate that good common sense has been thrown to the wind. The most popular approach by the opponents of sending Highland children to Lehi is the construction of two smaller schools -- one in Lehi and one in Highland. It is a solution which would burden all patrons of the Alpine School District, since it would cost more to build two small schools than one big one. And it would cost more to operate them as well so the burden would be carried for many ! jj - - - . , 180-od- 700-plu- - cangb'tftere., V The, first concern is legitimate. Nobody likes to see their comiroinity rent apart by an arbitrary decision. Butffief decision Js hardly arbitrary. It was carefully considered. And while the division may be hard to fswallow, it will hardly divide Highland. Other have survived similar boundary decisions ) without losing their community identity. To strengthen their argument of community identity, Highland has suddenly clasped Alpine as a "Sister City" in h move that immediately doubles the number of students Jaffected.J thereby doubling the supposed impact of the f school board's decision. L But we would suspect that fewer Alpine residents would claim this close kinship, since their children will not be affected by the boundary change. It is a marriage of (convenience which actually weakens the claim of com- identity put forth by Highland residents. line of the argument is this - those Highland fnunity who are making all the noise don't want their children to go to school in Lehi, no matter what. They will com-Imuniti- es Ijhelp'pay for a new school in Highland with city funds. They Slave even gone so far as to say they would prefer d year-roun- school to seeing their little ones bundled up and sent miles to Lehi to attend a new junior high school. two 'the t It is this attitude which will do the harm in all the harsh ;Jand pitter words that can be expected before the issue is finally settled. And it ignores a basic issue in drawing S school boundaries in our area . t Because, like it or not, the communities of North Utah are associated in many ways. Lehi and Highland f.share a " common boundary, just as Highland and American Fork do. Those residents all shop in the same '.'stores; are treated in the same hospitals, share the same culture nd. have their schools governed by the same school district.' J And better education, not enhanced community unity, ;must be the primary concern of the school board in "determining school boundaries. Tke tiyi school is necessary and it needs to be built as 'soon, as possible for the good of many bright students who tartf JWW" laboring in inferior or, overcrowded facilities in both Lehi and American Fork.' i Those Highland residents who claim they don't want to jbe the solution to Lehi's problem need to recognize that the .problem belongs to everyone, as does the solution. I' And by slowing down the decision-makin- g process they rare hurting students in the Highland area as well as in juehi, American Fork and Alpine. I And that's not only irrational, it's just not right. " f "People from Highland send their children to school in Lehi? Ha ha ha," he laughed. "I didn't sleep too well last night. By MARC HADDOCK What I know about coaching basketball would fill a paragraph. And not much more. So when Steve Bailey cornered me years. The smaller schools would also, by their nature, provide inferior facilities for science and vocational classes, among others -- one of the problems that plagues the existing Lehi Junior High School. Under this plan, patrons throughout the Alpine District would be paying more and getting less. Another alternative proposed by some Highland residents is building the new facility in Highland, where the scJhQPldistrict owns a suitable piece of property next to - team!" .. " I dreamed I gave those officials a karate chop, tied them up and they found 'em next morning lying in the snow." "No wonder you didn't sleep well. If you're going to let the games get to you like that we'll probably put somebody else on the sports beat," the boss explained. "You do that and you'll end up where the officials are, out there on their own in the snow bank," I answered. ficials will have to go. We'd lose our credibility as a newspaper if we printed that. You never see big city newspapers criticize referees. That's bush league business," he said emphatically. "Are you saying that referees are above criticism? Do you mean to tell me that I go to all those games for nothing? What fun would I have? How narrow minded can you get?" I complained. "Shut up, Fowler. There's no need to get hysterical. I've got to leave now. Just cover the game. Forget your tirade he ordered. "I've got to referee my little girl's YBA "Betty, Betty, Betty. Write another story and try to be a little more objective. We can't use this drivel about bad umping," he said. "Oh yeah! And you're the one who's always saying the truth at all costs! And aren't you the one who's always preaching 'just the facts, game." ; c free-for-a- half ll ' the editor's full-grow- column near the post office one Saturday before Christmas and told me that there was still an opening for a coach for my little girl's YBA basketball team, and asked me if I myself into. around, we were ready. We'd found You see, despite our liberated a practice gym. And the players was interested, I answered with a hasty "I'll think about it" and times, it's still not common to see knew, more or less, what a layup little girls spending their summer was. retreated as quickly as possible. We hit the court with a sense of I wished I could have seen the look and fall days around the basketball on his face when I called him on hoop playing a little cautious confidence. "We'll kill I knew we had a long way to go these guys," snarled my sweet, Monday and accepted. I did it for the most selfish of before we would be ready for our darling daughter. We took the court and played them reasons. I wanted my kid to have a first game. The problem was the first game started in 15 minutes. to a daring 8 tie - we think. chance to play. I surrounded myself with the I wasn't surprised when my third You see, in YBA ball, the score grader expressed an intereset in the fresh, anxious faces and gave them isn't important. What's important is YBA program. I've seen what's a hearty pep talk, I told them to play fun. So you only keep track of the the over with sports past their best, and above all else to have baskets you make - at least, you do happened fun. And together we headed for the in theory; few years, and I know basketball isn't just for boys any more. The program also recognizes that junior high school and a date with 1 figured it was about time she golT'disastei!. ' W these younger tads getting a of good the finer fundamentals At with our worse the all fears gym points'bfy acquainted grip onhe so they go easy on the the game, so I encouraged her to tJ were realized when we walked onto basketball sign up. But I didn't volunteer then a court for the first time and saw the violations. And for the first half of a well the season, when the players double to be a coach. Some other en- other team running do I would drill. that, My girls dribble (a common mistake) or disciplined layup terprising parent didn't even know what a lay-u- p was. travel (even more common - they thought. I smiled and told myself the idea don't just travel, they take a whole But when Steve told me just four days before the organizational was to have fun. Then I looked vacation), the referees don't give meeting that no one had volunteered around the gym and saw the parents the ball to the other team. They (I can't imagine why), I decided it there to see their kids play ball. And simply stop the action and make the I stopped smiling. would be me or nobody. Nobody offending party take the ball out of I was bouyed by the coach of the bounds. That way the players get the probably could have done a better other team who told me, "The first idea that they have done something job. I recruited another father, Layne week of this is chaos, then it all kind wrong without everybody getting mad at them. Whitaker, as an assistant coach, and of settles down." She'd been this route before. It's a positive approach to the that turned out to by my wisest decision of the season. At least he Unfortunately for us, this time she game. fourth knew what he was doing. It's also a recipe for chaos on the brought with her a five-foOurs was a typical team. Unable grader my girls kept referring to as court. to find a suitable facility for our nine "that big dude." But with the kids involved in YBA We lost, but it was a valiant effort third and fourth graders to practice basketball, no recipe is needed. The in, we got together for the first time for nine little girls who had never ingredients just kind of appear and an hour before our first game. mix themselves together sponplayed together as a team before As my team members gathered and who thought you dribbled a taneously. around in a circle and practiced basketball with both hands. Practice would start as a effort but disintegrated By the time the next week rolled passing, I realized what I had gotten e. 18-1- ".. after about three-and-a-" minutes. j. n It was almost more than two men could manage. In fact, the one week I missed practice, my assistant coach called it quits after about 45 minutes. He had had enough. But our efforts made a difference. Our team got better. On our third outing we scored 48 points, 30 of them coming from one player. And the games got funner. My smile returned. I could face those parents with a clear conscience. In our last outing we were troubled with the flu and only had four players turn out for the game. Since the other team suffered from the same problems, and the same turnout, we played My 8- - and players poured in 88 points in the hour we were alotted for the game. They were awsome. Now the end of the season looms. Friday is bur test pfacliceSatwday' will be our last game. AndSdespite all of the fun, boy, ami glad. After all, I have four little girls at home as it is. Spending Friday afternoons with nine of them in a gym all armed with basketballs is almost like going home - only twice as loud. Shannan says she's going to play again next year. And we'll probably let her. After all, she'll be an experienced player on a team with other experienced players. We've developed a pretty good team, and the best passers in our age group in the YBA league. They should be dynamite ". next year. But will I be coaching them again? Not for the winning ticket in the Irish sweepstakes. Not for a $15,000 advance on The' Great American Novel I intend to write - someday. ' Not for an paid tour of , Europe. But for my little girl, I just might. ; into a arc-just- - : ot four-on-fou- r. ' Volunteers enrich kids' lives A corps of senior volunteers is enriching the lives of students in the Alpine School District. The volunteers are part of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program which allows senior citizens in the area to play a major role in the school life of many students. Some 30 individuals of retirement age are now participating in the project. They demonstrate a wide spectrum of education and experience, but according to project coordinator, Sharon Smith, they do have one thing in common: "a warm personality and a desire to serve." "The contribution of these individuals cannot be measured solely in terms of academic criterion," said Smith. "These caring people bring an added dimension to the school program. Call it friendship, personality, or a relationship but whatever it is, it is of benefit to both the students and the volunteers. It gives some students the needed academic and i emotional support to succeed in the classroom, and it gives the ' volunteers the sense of belonging and being needed." ; one-on-o- DID YOU know... j Porter Rockwell died in a stable on 400 South; Salt Lake City, of an apparent heart attack. was suspected. No foul play 24 West Main Lehi, Utah A nil did m Fish & Salad Bar JrVc"16' la JBcst 768-834- AUTO & TRUCK GLASS "Wl COME -A- ; - '. .' TRUCK WINDOWS CEED Spend So?ahN2ount?F' 8 ft ?3.85 LSO- SLIDING n0!03 " TO you;.'x il- you know,.. & Chips as much time or as little time as desired. They are generally able to serve at a school near their residence. While the program does not provide wages to participants it does offer insurance while at the school site and a free school lunch on the days when services are performed. More volunteers are needed in Alpine Schools. If you are retired and love child! program is for you. Contact Sharon Smith at 756079 for further details. GLASSMAW IL-- "$xnt goob from ilje The 30 volunteers are assisting educators in a variety of places and ways. All function is under the direction of the school principal. are tutors and help Many youngsters with basic drill practice in subjects such as reading and math. Others provide specialized help with activities such as music or art. Some are involved with special education children such as those who are housed at the Peterson School for the Handicapped. Volunteers select their own area to assist with and are able to spend mt"'""w - if . stated. "Are you saying I don't know the truth when I see it?' . "Speaking of eyesight," ! hollered, "I'll even pay for a trip to Standard Optical for both those refs." "Now, calm down. You may have a point about the neutral floor ofproblem, but that tripe about Coaching this team demands new skills - m- Betty, just the facts.'" "Well, you're taking this criticism all out of context," the chief editor J family, but after I get there and sit down they're nowhere to be found. Oh, I did see Eva way up on the top row. Why they disappear I don't know." "Who keeps staU for you?" "Roberta does. When I can find her," I complained. "Can I go home early? I don't feel too well," this overworked reporter said. "You better stay here. Some parents from Highland were going to call," he said. "That's just it," I said. "If those parents from Highland would send their kids to Lehi we'd have a better "Come on, everytime you say anything about basketball officials it's like sour grapes. It's like you're apologizing for the players. If they were good enough they'd win, referees or no referees," he coaxed. "Well, just let me put in this little bit about playing on a neutral floor, okay?" I whimpered. "Come on, Betty, don't turn on the quiet husky voice routine with me," the boss said. "It's just thai my throat's sore. That game was a barn burner and I yelled a little bit," I explained while munching Smith Bros, lozenges. "Betty, you take these games too seriously. Who goes with you to the games?" the boy executive questioned. "Oh, I take some friends and 5. Kiw c I?" . THy riaBT tha property is better, They also, say that jToads are more accessible than the roads near the Lehi f site, which are clogged with snow during the winter and too narrow.; t Certainly, this solution would be a benfit for the d fstudents from Highland, as they will no longer have to !. s travel: to Lehi. But it won't do much for the fstudents from Lehi who would have to be bused over many of those sanie roads tp go to school in Highland. Ir Nor does iftakeirito account the added costs of busing. I Highland residents express two major concerns over the school board's plans. First, they don't want their town divided by school boundaries. Second, they don't want I their children to go to Lehi to school even if they all Calling 'em like I see 'em doesn't satisfy yjou better believe U I wrote a dynamite editorial, and my boss wouldn't let me use it. "Ah, Betty, you don't want to put this in do you?" he pleaded. "Well, yes," I answered defiantly. "I've been wanting to speak out on this issue for a long time. I have a right to say what I think, ...er, don't irrational when the subject of school boundaries tbfe tcity pirkrf Free Press - Wednesday, March 7, 1984 - Page 2 " Windshields Back Windows v side Windows Leaks Fixed Insurance Claims U . AMERICAN FORK. 756-216- 2 Weekdays JL 9 to 6 |
