Interlocal group seeks Lockhart Group to help form new school district; council to approve consultant agreement

Representatives of an interlocal committee formed by four cities — Pleasant Grove, Vineyard, Orem and one other — told the council they sought a professional consultant to advise on formation of a proposed new school district, described in the meeting as the “Timpanogos” school district effort.

City staff and committee members said they interviewed firms and recommend hiring the Lockhart Group to serve as the interlocal’s primary consultant and legislative liaison. The scope described in the meeting included stakeholder engagement, legal and legislative strategy, fundraising and grant identification, and support for the new governing board in the transition period through the November milestone cited by speakers.

Steve (speaker representing the interlocal) and Brandon (interlocal participant) told the council the Lockhart Group was selected because of its proposed approach and relationships with legislators. The interlocal will still need each participating council to approve the agreement because the interlocal group itself lacks unilateral contracting authority; speakers said Linden, Pleasant Grove and Vineyard will follow the same approval steps.

Speakers emphasized that the consultant’s role includes trying to build consensus with other school districts and state legislators to remedy issues raised by prior legislation (speakers repeatedly referenced SB188 and concerns about asset/liability division in the prior bill). The interlocal members said the objective is securing a “fair” distribution of assets and liabilities if districts split and to prepare the new board for operations.

The City Council voted to authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with the Lockhart Group on the consent agenda.