Board approves elementary boundary realignment moving homes east of Maple Mountain to Sierra Bonita

The Nebo School District board unanimously approved an elementary school boundary change March 12 that moves a section directly east of Maple Mountain High School from Maple Ridge Elementary to Sierra Bonita Elementary beginning with the 2025–26 school year.

Assistant Superintendent Ben Ford presented the proposal and the background at the work session. He said the district began the realignment process in October after two factors reduced Maple Ridge’s available capacity: continued home construction in the area north of Maple Ridge and a larger-than-expected increase in full‑day kindergarten sessions this academic year. Maple Ridge currently has eight kindergarten sections; converting those half‑day sections to full‑day increased classroom usage from the anticipated four to seven kindergarten classrooms, reducing overall capacity by roughly 75 students.

Ford said the specific redrawn area lies just east of Maple Mountain High School; Spanish Fork City and district staff have discussed safe walking routes and potential crossing guards at 40 North or at other intersections near the school front doors. The city suggested engineering mitigations such as flashing lights and pedestrian crossings; district staff will work with the Sierra Bonita school community council and Spanish Fork to identify the recommended walking route and any traffic-control additions.

Under the approved resolution the board adopted the new boundary map and established transition rules: fourth graders currently enrolled at Maple Ridge and personally affected by the boundary change may opt to stay at Maple Ridge for fifth grade if families notify the school by April 14, 2025. Parents of students in kindergarten through third grade affected by the boundary change will have a 30‑day window after the March 12 decision to submit an open‑enrollment application under Utah code (citation shown in the board resolution). The district stated that approximately 83 students are affected by the change; of those, eight are fourth graders who may opt to remain, while roughly 35 currently open‑enrolled students at Maple Ridge will be required to return to their home schools but may use the 30‑day open enrollment window.

Projected enrollments in the board materials showed Maple Ridge dropping from about 875 students to 792 and Sierra Bonita increasing from about 562 to 645 under the proposal. The administration said the plan keeps Maple Ridge near its desired early‑open‑enrollment threshold (7 70 in the presentation materials) and leaves Sierra Bonita with additional capacity for growth.

Ford said the district expects to revisit the area in two to three years as new development and infrastructure move forward; the realignment is smaller than a full new‑school solution and intended to address capacity prompted this year by full‑day kindergarten demand.

Several public commenters and board members raised safety and stability concerns during the work sessions and during public comment; the district included frequently asked questions and said staff had met multiple times with Spanish Fork City and school community councils to discuss crossing guards, sidewalks, and traffic mitigation.

The board approved the realignment by unanimous vote and directed administration to finalize communications to affected families, include clear open‑enrollment instructions, and implement the grandfathering option for fourth graders who elect to remain.