Despite a tense public hearing that saw many residents speak against a proposed property tax increase, the Alpine School District’s board of education on Tuesday voted to approve an 11.5% hike.

The board said the increase is to help meet capital needs now and when the three new school districts are operational, following a November 2024 vote that split the Alpine School District — the largest district in the state — into three separate districts.

“We have the opportunity now to do something that gives each new school board a strong starting position, instead of them needing to raise taxes sharply in two years,” said board Vice President Stacy Bateman.

Jason Sundberg, the district’s business administrator, said the net impact on a homeowner of the median home in the district would be

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