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Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always

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Home Care In Alpine, UT

Home Care Alpine, UT

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Historic Pioneer Relic Hall gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Alpine, UT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Alpine, UT

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“This is a great company to work for if you’re interested in a flexible schedule. Management is so supportive and will do what they can to make everyday at work a good day. They communicate effectively and quickly to ensure nothing is miscommunicated or misunderstood. Working here as been so rewarding and educational.”

Mckinlye G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care of Southern Ut is a great company. In November I will have worked with them for three years. I am a senior myself and absolutely love working with them. They always try to make sure the client and the caregiver have a good relationship with each other. They are family owned and genuinely care about both client and employees.”

Helen M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I've been with ABC nearly 3 years(in Feb). They have been gracious and kind whenever I have had to change my schedule or not be able to work a shift. they make me feel like family, and they strive to help the clients feel the same. we love our clients and caregivers and staff.”

TheXploringKay O.
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“I work for Always Best Care and it's amazing they really do care for their clients and they'll go the extra mile to meet their needs ! Not only that but they care for employees i love the flexibility they give us.”

Aly T.
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“Always Best Care has definitely been a blessing to our little familys life. As an employer of ABC they have been amazing with flexibility in chosing my schedule so that not only am I able to work but also be home with my kids when I need to be. They are amazing and put their employees first. I love being a member of ABC team.”

Falelua A.
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TESTIMONIALS

“1. Stay active. Exercise may be the last thing you want to do when your arthritis hurts, but many studies show that physical activity is one of the best ways to improve your quality of life. 2. Eat a balanced diet. Studies show that a variety of nutrients may help ease arthritis symptoms. 3. Lose weight. Being overweight puts undue strain on weight-bearing joints such as your knees, spine, hips, ankles, and feet. 5. Use hot or cold packs. By increasing blood flow, hot compresses can ease pain and stiffness. 6. Keep pain under control. Over-the-counter medications can help ease arthritis pain. 7. Talk to your doctor about supplements and complementary medicine. Many supplements have been tested for the treatment of arthritis. 8. Try splints, braces, and other aids. Devices that support painful joints, such as splints, braces, and canes can help ease your discomfort and prevent injury. 9. Seek support. Living with arthritis isn’t easy. Finding other people that you can talk to and share ideas with can help. Check out arthritis support groups online or in your area. 10. Stay positive. Your mental outlook can have a big impact on how you feel, and how well you function. #SelfCare #Osteoarthritis #Arthritis #Disability #GoodHealth #PainRelief #SeniorCommunity #Caregiver #Caregiving #WECANHELP #OlderAdult #SeniorCare #SeniorLiving #SeniorServices #SeniorHousing #AlwaysBestCare #Exercise #SelfManaging #Tips”

Always B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care has some of the friendliest staff. They are quick to learn & eager to assist. Great schedulers who are on top of managing the schedules & keeping their employees accountable. I sure appreciate all the help they give!”

AsAn
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“I can leave a long review if I wanted to . I can talk about always best cares credentials and talk about mine. But What’s the point of leaving a review if it sounds like everybody else’s. The bottom line is , that they are great at their jobs from the bottom to the top. They have a process and people in place . They keep accountability and are communicative . Ive represented many companies in the past and still do till this day contract with only the best.. If you feel you want to hear more about this company on a deeper level just lmk. Happy Healthy Safe”

Jay R.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I like working for ABC because it works well with my busy nursing school schedule! I also like how I get to work on my own, but there are options to work with other CNAs for the care of some of the clients. It’s the best of both worlds! I’ve been with Always best care since 2021 and have thoroughly enjoyed working with the clients I work with!”

Olivia S.
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“Love always best care ❤️”

Breezy H.
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“Amazing business. Staff are helpful and kind.”

Margot K.
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“Always Best Care is always best!!! Highly recommended! Brent listens and hears what we need for my 94 year old mom and matches caregivers accordingly. Sometimes, the schedule changes and he works to fill the needs immediately and always with a great attitude! The caregivers are compassionate. Again, I highly recommend Always Best Care.”

shell S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“They are seriously so amazing to work with and really care for their clients. I came to them with some pretty difficult challenges that I was not sure we could work with but they were able to make it happen and truly did more than I thought was even possible. I highly recommend them.”

Mandy M.
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“Love working for this company”

Christina P.
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“Love them! Staff is always super sweet and easy to work with! Highly recommend.”

Olivia L.
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“As an employee of this company I could not ask for a better team to work with. They work with schedules, are understanding caring and all around amazing people. The clients are wonderful and have nothing but good things to say. They treat you as family and care from day one!”

Cassandra O.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care has provided caregivers for my mother and now my father for the last year. They always send the best people to take care of them and give me peace of mind when I have to be at work. I highly recommend them if you’re seeking care for anyone in need.”

Salle A.
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“Alway best care! They are so giving and caring to their staff and clients❤️❤️❤️”

Brianne W.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I've been using ABC for about 2 1/2 years and have really met some wonderful people and great caregivers. I know they all work hard and are experienced and dependable which is important to me. At times I've needed a flexible schedule and they've been able to accommodate my needs and been very friendly about it. At times I've also had to ask these caregivers to do things for me outside of their job description and they've been very accommodating. Brent is also been great to follow up with phone calls and help adjust my schedule when needed. I do recommend this company.”

Jim J.
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TESTIMONIALS

“The best home health company that I have ever worked for. Friendly office staff, great scheduler, and the kindest CNA’s and workers that I know.”

Jenny J.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I work with Always Best Care and they're always flexible with my schedule. Everyone there is very nice and understanding and I enjoy working with ABC.”

Anna S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care has been an amazing company to work for! They are flexible with my schedule being a single mom and I can tell they are always putting their clients and the individuals that they care for, the needs and their happiness above all else. I know they care for every individual that they have and they make sure their staff are the same way!”

Aubrey S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always best is such an incredible company! They are so accommodating to all of the needs of their clients and do their best to help any way that they can. They are reliable and really seem to care. I would recommend Always Best to anyone looking for these kinds of services!”

Anni H.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Alpine, UT?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Alpine, UT

Types of Elderly Care in Alpine, UT

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Alpine, UT
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Alpine, UT
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Creekside Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Alpine, UT
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Tree Room or visit Moyle Historical Park, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Alpine, UT

Benefits of Home Care in Alpine, UT

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Alpine, UT, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Alpine, UT

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your UT's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Alpine, UT

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Alpine, UT understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Alpine, UT

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Alpine, UT

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • River Meadows Senior Living
  • The Senior Living Group
  • Mission at Alpine Rehabilitation Center
  • Senior Care Authority of Utah
  • Bellaview Assisted Living
  • Alpine Meadow Rehab & Nursing
Home Care Alpine, UT

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Alpine, UT

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Alpine, UT 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Alpine, UT

Latest News in Alpine, UT

Utah lawmakers chastise Alpine School District over its proposed closures

Utah state lawmakers strongly criticized Alpine School District’s handling of potential school closures in an Administrative Rules Review and G...

Utah state lawmakers strongly criticized Alpine School District’s handling of potential school closures in an Administrative Rules Review and General Oversight Committee during the Legislature’s May 18 interim session.

This discussion came after 33 parents filed a lawsuit in April accusing the district of not following state law and taking steps toward closing five schools before properly notifying the community.

The district’s school board voted in November 2022 to study potential boundary changes and school closures after voters rejected a proposed bond that would have partially been used to fix aging, unsafe schools. Parents were notified in December about the study, but the email did not name any specific schools that could be on the chopping block.

“It doesn’t get real for a parent until their school’s name is listed on the notification,” said Rep. Brady Brammer during the committee meeting, who represents Alpine. “The way that this is, it kind of lulls you into it. It’s like, ‘we’re going to study it, we’re going to come back, we’re going to talk to people.’”

Two parents, who represented a group of parents, gave a presentation on their complaints about Alpine’s process and what they’d like lawmakers to do. And several parents spoke negatively about the district’s actions during public comment.

The district was required to notify parents 120 days before approving a school closure or school boundary change and allow opportunities for public comment, according to state code.

On Feb. 28, less than three months after the December email, the school board approved a motion to direct staff to start the formal process of “closing Sharon, Windsor, Valley View, Lindon and Lehi elementaries” for the 2023-2024 school year, according to the minutes for that meeting.

The district told parents in an email after that meeting that the board had voted to “move various components of the General Boundary Study to a FORMAL STUDY” and that they were only looking at proposed closures, nothing had been decided.

After several open houses to hear public comment, the board voted to “continue the process” of potentially closing Sharon and Valley View elementaries after the current school year, and possibly close Lehi, Lindon and Windsor in 2024.

The allegation from parents and some lawmakers is that school board members had already made a decision of which schools to close during the Feb. 28 meeting, before parents were notified about which specific schools were on the table or given opportunities for comment.

Committee chair Sen. Curtis Bramble said it appeared as though the board had made a decision and then went through the motions of studying the issue.

“The overall arching concern is that everybody feels like the goose is cooked on these two schools prior to a final vote. And the teachers are acting as if it’s cooked, there’s no principal making plans for next year,” Brammer said.

Valley View Elementary parent Chad Hunsaker told the committee that his school’s PTA has not held any elections for the next school year since it could be closed by then.

Former Sen. Karen Mayne sponsored the 2019 law requiring 120 days notice before closing a school after the Granite School District school board voted to close a school less than a month after notifying the community.

“I can tell you she’s probably not happy if she’s listening to this committee because this was a very, very important bill for her that had to do [with] making sure parents feel empowered and not just be, you know, taken over by a district,” said Sen. Luz Escamilla. “There has to be that transparency.”

Escamilla said it feels like the district’s actions were just a cover-up after they had already made decisions and that she was disappointed, especially since Alpine is Utah’s largest school district.

“We will fix the statue and probably your school district will be the example of what not to do because clearly [you] did not follow the rule of the law as it was intended,” Escamilla said.

During the 2023 legislative session, Utah lawmakers shortened the notice period for a school closure from 120 days to 90 days. However, that law did not go into effect until May and would not have retroactively affected Alpine.

After the session ended, bill sponsor Sen. Jake Anderegg said he received two phone calls from Alpine school board members, who he would not name. To him, it appeared those board members were seeking “political cover.”

“Using the bill that I had passed to say, ‘Oh no, it wasn’t 120 days, it was 90.’ And it seems disingenuous to me,” Anderegg said. “It was never my intent in this legislation to provide political cover for Alpine School District for not following due process and what the law requires.”

Anderegg and some of the other committee members were irritated that none of the district’s school board members nor Superintendent Shane Farnsworth showed up for the hearing in person. Bramble said they were invited. One board member, Joylin Lincoln, was on Zoom.

The district was represented at the meeting by Executive Director of External Relations and Communications David Stephenson, Executive Director of Legal Services Kraig Brinkerhoff and Business Administrator Robert Smith.

The committee voted to subpoena the superintendent and school board to be in attendance and in person at the committee’s next meeting.

“The fact that they're not in the room answering these questions is going to lead to a series of legislation, several bills at least that will correct this and is bringing quite frankly, I hate to say this because I love you guys [Alpine School Board members], is going to bring the hammer,” Anderegg said.

The committee also voted to open a bill file relating to this issue and referred it to the Legislature’s education committee. Rep. Kera Birkeland said she wanted to make things absolutely clear so that “no other district can jump through these same loopholes.”

Brammer said it’s important that they fix the closure process because districts statewide will be closing schools over the next decade due to Utah’s declining school-age population.

The Alpine School Board could vote on closing the schools at its June 30 meeting, which the district’s timeline says is 122 days after parents were emailed on March 1, 2023, about which specific schools could close. During the committee meeting, Stephenson declined to answer when, according to his interpretation or the district’s interpretation, the 120-day period actually started due to the lawsuit.

Utah lawmakers, Alpine District go back and forth over process of exploring school closures

Estimated read time: 7-8 minutesSALT LAKE CITY — Weeks before Alpine School District will vote to potentially close two elementary schools, Utah lawmakers and members of the district's board of education on Monday went back and forth over one question.What constitutes notification and when did the district properly notify the parents of the schools that could be impac...

Estimated read time: 7-8 minutes

SALT LAKE CITY — Weeks before Alpine School District will vote to potentially close two elementary schools, Utah lawmakers and members of the district's board of education on Monday went back and forth over one question.

What constitutes notification and when did the district properly notify the parents of the schools that could be impacted by closures?

Last month, members of the Administrative Rules Review and General Oversight Committee decided to subpoena the board members to require them to attend Monday's committee meeting in person after their absence drew the ire of lawmakers at last month's committee meeting.

"The purpose of today's meeting, as it relates to Alpine School District, is to determine whether or not we need to amend the relevant statute regarding school closures," said Utah Sen. Curtis Bramble, R-Provo, who serves as the committee chairman.

According to Utah law, parents of students enrolled in any affected school must be notified 120 days before that school is closed or its boundaries are changed.

"We need to know when were the school or these schools, plural, identified and when was a 120-day period commenced for purposes of complying with this statute," Bramble said.

The interpretation of the district's following (or not) of this code has been the crux of the debate around the potential school closures for months.

Last month, 33 plaintiffs — mostly parents — filed a lawsuit against the district, alleging that it hasn't followed the law in its process of exploring the closure of Lehi, Valley View, Lindon, Windsor and Sharon elementary schools and associated boundary studies.

Timeline

During the district's Nov. 29 board meeting, after a proposed $595 million bond for the district failed, the board requested a districtwide boundary study to explore possibilities around restructuring or consolidating boundaries and evaluating school buildings for potential closure, Alpine School District spokesman David Stephenson said.

In early December, the district sent a letter to parents notifying them that since the proposed bond failed, the district would be initiating a boundary study that could result in potential closures.

On March 1, the district sent an email to parents and city mayors, councils and administrators, notifying them that the five elementary schools were being considered for closure and/or boundary adjustments and starting the 120-day notice period prior to the closure of any schools, as required by Utah law.

However, the lawsuit claims that at a Feb. 28 board meeting, the board "voted to close Sharon, Windsor, Valley View, Lindon and Lehi elementary schools and implement the associated boundary and program changes to be effective in the '23-24 school year."

Alpine School District board, superintendent subpoenaed by Utah lawmakers

Utah lawmakers criticized Alpine School District's process of studying potential closures of five elementary schools during a committee meeting held during the Legislature's interim session.

Seemingly, a bulk of the disagreement between the plaintiffs and the district can be traced to the Feb. 28 board meeting, when board member Joylin Lincoln made a motion "that the board of education direct staff to begin a formal process, in accordance with state statutory requirements, of closing Sharon, Windsor, Valley View, Lindon and Lehi elementary schools and implement the associated boundary and program changes to be effective in the '23-24 school year."

The motion passed, with board member Sarah Beeson casting the lone opposing vote.

The March 1 email sent out by the district the day after the Feb. 28 board meeting states that the motion passed was "to move various components of the General Boundary Study to a FORMAL STUDY."

Essentially, the district said that the vote wasn't a final nail in the coffin of the five schools but, instead, a vote to move into the formal study process — denoted by the March 1 email specifically notifying parents who could be impacted.

Communication issues

Monday's meeting revealed an apparent communication breakdown between committee members Bramble and Rep. Brady Brammer, R-Pleasant Grove, and the school district leading up to last month's meeting, during which the superintendent and board members were subpoenaed.

Board president Sara Hacken, vice president Julie King and Kraig Brinkerhoff, executive director of legal services for the district, were present for Monday's meeting. Superintendent Shane Farnsworth was traveling and unable to attend.

Hacken, reading a prepared statement from Farnsworth, said that "no request was made via email, text, letter or telephone call for the superintendent or board members to attend this scheduled committee meeting last month."

"Consequently, a subpoena to this meeting was unnecessary, given that an invitation to attend is sufficient," Hacken said.

"Issuing a subpoena is not necessarily popular, but it certainly eliminates any question about communication," Bramble said.

"You can always call me, Sen. Bramble," King responded.

District responds to lawmakers

When addressing the seemingly elusive question as to whether the district followed Utah law in notifying parents who could be impacted by potential closures, Hacken said that it had but that there was some confusion over when that notification began to start the 120-day period required by Utah code.

"One of those confusions that we had, or one of the questions, was that December meeting. The questions came up: Did we give enough notice? And we had several different opinions from several different sources and they didn't agree with each other," Hacken said.

At that point, she said the question was whether the district needed to individually list all the schools that could be impacted — something the district did in the March 1 email to parents.

"We took a very conservative view of that 120-day timeline, whereas we originally had hoped that it could start in December so we would have sufficient time to do all those emotional, important things that we need to do," Hacken said. "We were counseled that that would not be the case, so we had to make the difficult decision to go ahead and restart the process in February."

Hacken said that the schools being studied for potential closure for the 2023-2024 school year have been studied in the past, both formally and informally, and all of them have "significant structural, operational and seismic challenges."

All five of the schools being considered for closure made their way onto the Utah K-12 Public Schools Unreinforced Masonry Inventory, making the buildings seismically unsafe in the event of an earthquake.

"Newer facilities are proximate to the schools being studied for closure, have the capacity and are in better condition to support the learning needs and safety of our students, families and communities," Hacken said.

Hacken also pushed back against allegations made by parents and echoed by Brammer at last month's meeting that the district took actions to close the schools by reassigning school administrators and encouraging teachers to find employment elsewhere before a final vote was cast.

If you guys were to then make a motion to close certain schools on or after the 29th of June, you would still be within the scope of the law. Let's just make sure that's absolutely clear.

– Sen. Jake Anderegg, R-Lehi.

"While most administrative assignments are typically done in the spring, other changes may occur during the summer and, on rare occasions, during the school year," Hacken said. "Knowing the board was considering possible school closures, we thought it prudent to allow teachers of potentially affected schools the opportunity to transfer. We remind this committee and the public that administrators and teachers are contracted with the district and assigned to a school or work location. Assignments may be changed at any time to meet the needs of the organization or the individuals."

Hacken said that the board will not make a final decision until its June 30 meeting, which is after the 120-day time period required by law.

"If you guys were to then make a motion to close certain schools on or after the 29th of June, you would still be within the scope of the law. Let's just make sure that's absolutely clear," said Sen. Jake Anderegg, R-Lehi.

Despite this, Anderegg still questioned whether the timeline outlined by Utah code is fair to families who may be impacted by the potential closures. Lawmakers during last month's meeting, prompted by the parents' allegations, mentioned plans to propose legislation focused on school closures.

During Monday's meeting, multiple lawmakers teased the idea of establishing a set timeline and specific dates for when districts are able to explore school closures.

"Any sort of legislative act to remedy this is going to be postscriptive. It's not going to help our situation right now," Anderegg said. "How do we better navigate for parents to be able to have as much time as possible to make decisions?"

"We've learned some profoundly important lessons that we would love to be able to share and that we would love to be able to, maybe, inform future statute," Hacken said. "For us, we would love to work with you, and I think a timeline would be really helpful."

Alpine's Saydie Wagner hopes to go from Masters to state title

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ALPINE, Utah — On the Sunday before the start of The Masters, Alpine's Saydie Wagner teed it up in the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals at the legendary Augusta National golf course.

"It was such an experience, it was crazy," said Wagner. "It was so pretty, and they were so strict, so it was different than any other golf course you would ever play on. You couldn't lay on the grass, I got in trouble for that one.:

Wagner nearly won the girls age 14-15 division as she battled her nerves and finished second, just one point out of first place.

"I was just kind of in shock because I didn't think that I was going to do as well as I did, but I did alright," she said.

Saydie has now transitioned from playing at one of the greatest golf courses in the world to the golf courses in Utah; focused on helping Lone Peak High School repeat at 6A state champions.

"It's definitely a lot different," said Wagner. "It's not as nice, but I'm grateful that I get to play with my team because they are super fun."

Her teammates were watching her compete on national television.

"It was good, it was impressive," said Aadyn Long. "I was proud. She represented Utah. She did so good."

Long helped Lone Peak win the state title last year, finishing second individually as a freshman behind her sister Berlin, who's now playing at BYU. Aadyn is now a sophomore and Saydie is a freshman; together they are leading a young team that loves to compete against each other.

"I think me and Aadyn go at it pretty much every time," said Wagner.

"We play together all the time," said Long. "We've also grown up playing together. Me and Saydie are pretty close, but it's definitely fun, because I feel like both of our games have really gone to the next level."

Lone Peak has won every tournament they've played this season, with only the state championship left on the schedule May 8-9 at Riverbend Golf Course.

Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Utah man accused of embezzling $1.5 million from businesses

ALPINE, Utah (ABC4) – A man from Alpine, Utah, has been accused of taking $1.5 million from a company and its businesses after he was hired to serve as the Chief Financial Officer.Michael Eric Lee, 53, faces charges four second-degree felony charges of money laundering, five second-degree felony charges of theft, one second-degree felony charge of a pattern of unlawful activity, and a misdemeanor charge of theft. ...

ALPINE, Utah (ABC4) – A man from Alpine, Utah, has been accused of taking $1.5 million from a company and its businesses after he was hired to serve as the Chief Financial Officer.

Michael Eric Lee, 53, faces charges four second-degree felony charges of money laundering, five second-degree felony charges of theft, one second-degree felony charge of a pattern of unlawful activity, and a misdemeanor charge of theft.

According to charging documents, Lee was hired to be the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for several businesses owned by Richard Allred in January 2019. Under their agreement, Lee would work part-time until July of that year while he worked part-time for another company.

Lee reportedly agreed to a six-figure salary that would increase once he moved to the CFO position full-time. Allred alleges the hiring agreement did not include any additional forms of compensation including bonuses besides the base pay. Charging documents say Lee was also allowed to hire his family members as temporary contract employees to help with shipping and other jobs, under the same compensation agreement.

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With his position as CFO, Lee was reportedly given unlimited access to the company’s financial accounts as well as the accounts for all the accounts owned by the company. In total, Lee was allegedly given access to 47 financial accounts, including bank accounts, credit cards, PayPal and Venmo, among others.

Lee reportedly approached Allred in 2021 to purchase his businesses, saying they were losing money. The claim prompted Allred to hire a forensic accountant to determine why the businesses were losing money.

According to the court documents, the forensic accountant found the business was financially sound, but did report a “significant deficiency” in the company’s funds. The forensic accountant reported several unauthorized transactions done by Lee.

According to the report, Lee allegedly made nearly 2,000 purchases including movie tickets, gas, groceries, meals at restaurants, jewelry, airline tickets, hotels, and car rentals. Lee also allegedly used the money to fund vacations for himself and his family to Hawaii, California, Moab, New York, Wyoming and Idaho, as well as his daughter’s wedding and his own personal vehicle purchase. The forensic accountant also reported Lee had transferred a large amount of money into the accounts of family members that were not associated with payroll.

Allred claims that he, nor the company’s board approved of any of the alleged transactions or transfers and that Lee even agreed to a salary reduction in March 2020. Charging documents further allege that the funds used were not accounted for in Lee’s W2s for the tax years of 2019, 2020 and 2021.

In total, Lee allegedly took $1.5 million from Allred’s company and its related businesses.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Utah lawmakers suggest changing school closure law during tense Alpine District testimony

Alpine School District leaders attend this time, after skipping the last meeting and being subpoenaed. During a tense meeting Monday, Utah lawmakers interrogated Alpine School District leaders over how they communicated with parents about potential school closures — and suggested changes to the statute that governs the process.The discussion comes just weeks after the state’s Administrativ...

Alpine School District leaders attend this time, after skipping the last meeting and being subpoenaed.

During a tense meeting Monday, Utah lawmakers interrogated Alpine School District leaders over how they communicated with parents about potential school closures — and suggested changes to the statute that governs the process.

The discussion comes just weeks after the state’s Administrative Rules committee subpoenaed Alpine School District leaders Superintendent Shane Farnsworth and school board President Sara Hacken for not showing up at its previous meeting. This time, Hacken attended alongside school board Vice President Julie King and Kraig Brinkerhoff, the district’s executive director of legal services.

“The purpose of today’s meeting as relates to Alpine School District is to determine whether or not we need to amend the relevant statute regarding school closures,” said Sen. Curtis Bramble, R-Provo, who is also the co-chair of the committee. “In our last meeting, we did not get a clear response on how the statue was complied with, what the timing on the compliance was in terms of when was notification given.”

In April, Alpine School District’s school closure process came under scrutiny after a group of 33 parents sued the district, arguing it did not follow state law for getting public input. The district is potentially closing Sharon and Valley View elementaries, effective in the 2023-24 school year.

Farnsworth did not attend Monday’s committee meeting due to travel, but prepared a statement that Hacken read to members. Farnsworth wrote that “no request was made via email, text, letter or telephone call for the superintendent or board members to attend the scheduled committee meeting” in May.

Sen. Curtis Bramble, R-Provo, said that response was “a bit of a frustration,” adding that he personally spoke to Farnsworth at an event prior to last month’s meeting about having him and other board members there.

“That’s water under the bridge,” Bramble said. “Consider the subpoena a formal invitation.”

Committee members rebuked the district leaders at times Monday for interrupting lawmakers’ statements and attempting to speak without being acknowledged by the committee chair.

The lawmakers also discussed setting a statewide deadline for completing the school process each year, and opened a bill file for possible new legislation.

Committee members ask for clarification

Prior to May 3, state law required districts to give parents and students of schools targeted for closure at least 120 days’ notice prior to officially approving or implementing plans to change attendance boundaries or close. That requirement has since been changed to 90 days, with the passage of SB143 in the 2023 legislative session.

During the meeting, multiple committee members tried to get clarification on when exactly the 120 days began for the district to begin the process of closing its initial list of targeted schools, which were Sharon, Windsor, Valley View, Lindon and Lehi elementary schools.

Brinkerhoff reiterated to the committee that on Feb. 28, the board voted to move forward with a formal study that included a proposed closure, merger or boundary change of those schools. And on March 1, an email was sent to parents to officially inform them of the study, beginning the 120 days’ notice.

After several open houses, the board voted to remove three elementary schools from the study until 2024, but to “continue the process” of potentially closing Sharon and Valley View in 2023.

Farnsworth’s statement said that the board is anticipated to make a “final determination” on the school closures on June 30, though action is still “potential.”

Sen. Brady Brammer, R-Pleasant Grove, questioned the wording of the Feb. 28 motion by the school board, saying that it did not mention a study — and instead said the district would “begin the formal process of closing” the elementary schools.

“It actually says, ‘the process of closing,’” Brammer said. “That would be fine if everybody understood it and understood what you meant, as opposed to what you said.”

He also noted that after the Feb. 28 vote, teachers from those schools were reassigned within the district, citing a district spreadsheet showing that there were no teachers at Valley View and Sharon slated to teach next year.

Brinkerhoff responded by reiterating what Farnsworth said in his statement — that it’s “much easier to be prepared and reverse track than it is to try and make adjustments on the fly.”

Committee looks at potential changes to statute

Brammer said the Alpine School District has put itself “in a little bit of a conundrum” with the timing of reassigning teachers ahead of a school closure vote.

“If you wanted to close within the certain time periods, you’re basically in this scenario where you feel like, ‘Well, we can’t close then shift all these people around, but we can’t plan to close and then not move these people around before we actually vote to close,’” he said.

Brammer suggested a change to the statute — proposing having Oct. 31 be a statewide deadline for districts to complete the process of a closure and have the vote to close a school. That school would then close the next academic year, he said.

King suggested possibly moving that date even further back, to Jan. 31, since the later date may conflict with when charters conduct their lottery draws for admissions.

“October is tough because if you back up 120 days, we’re starting that process in July,” King said. “And if we want to be transparent with parents, who’s checking their email in July?”

Whatever date is set doesn’t really matter that much, said Sen. Jacob Anderegg, R-Lehi. He said what is most important is creating a timeline that would give parents enough time to make an informed decision, such as if they need to move.

“I will stand by what I said in the last meeting, which is the school board needs to be able to open and shut schools,” Anderegg said.

He added that even if there was a decision to change the law now, it would not go into effect until potentially May of next year, as it would need to go through and be approved by the House, Senate and the governor.

“That’s part of the reason why you’re here answering questions is, how do we better navigate for parents to be able to have as much time as possible to make decisions?” Anderegg said to the Alpine School District leaders, asking when they would recommend dates to be set for an appropriate timeline.

King said she would be happy to bring it back to the board members to discuss and later share their recommendation with the committee.

She added that closing schools is “the most emotionally charged thing” a district has to do, and that no one is happy about boundary changes, much less school closures.

“We have involved parents who love their schools, are committed to their communities, and we have phenomenal schools. And everyone’s saying, ‘Please keep us open, please stay open, we love our schools so much,’” King said. “That is a phenomenal problem to have, because if we had the reverse problem where people were saying, ‘That school is the worst, it’s about time,’ that would be a different dynamic.”

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