If district residents at the meeting had a vote, the issue would never be put on the November ballot.

Lehi resident April West's remarks echoed the vast majority at the meeting. She warned the commission about putting the issue to voters in the general election.

“I'm holding you three [commissioners] personally responsible,'' said West, who helped gather 3,300 signatures against splitting the northern Utah County district and forming a new Pioneer District.

“Our memories are long,'' she continued. “We know this will not be the only issue you vote on, but we will remember how [you voted] on this.''

Actually, the commissioners legally cannot decide on whether to place the issue on the ballot until after the public comment period expires on Aug. 13.

But one angry parent after another said the choice should be a no-brainer. An ad-hoc committee, appointed to study the issue, voted 5-1 against dividing the district. Moreover, a Brigham Young University study showed property taxes for schools would jump 40 percent by 2010 for homeowners in the Pioneer District, which would include Lehi, Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain.

“I don't see how you three can ethically vote to put this on the ballot when the ad hoc committee said it [a new district] was not financially feasible," said Karen Ashman, a PTA president.

Some opponents argued the higher taxes would drive businesses to move to Salt Lake County. Others noted Lehi residents had to help pay the bonds to build schools when Orem and Pleasant Grove were growing.

“Now it's only fair they should have to help us,'' said PTA representative Susan Wilson.

The few Pioneer supporters at the meeting, however, said size matters. The Alpine School District's 51,000 students make it the state's fourth largest.

Orem's Barbara Petty said smaller districts will give parents more say in the schools.

“It's totally responsible to put this on the ballot,'' she said. “It's never irresponsible to hear the voice of the people.''

Once the public comment period ends, commissioners have until Aug. 27 to make a decision.

If the issue goes on the ballot, a majority of voters living in the proposed Pioneer District and a majority of voters living in the rest of the Alpine School District would have to vote for the proposal for the split to take place.

meddington@sltrib.com