That might make it possible for Alpine to run its own school with less money, but that is not always the case in schools that do contract out. Possible alternatives include incorporating a junior college and a joint library into the plans. County Supervisor Dianne Jacob, who attended the meeting, said it would not be the first time the county teamed with a school district for libraries and ball fields. There was talk of alternatives to a comprehensive high school, and resident Gary Juleen said he and others had plans to start a charter school in Alpine with 391 students this fall. The Grossmont board, however, would not fund it, as it did when Helix High School became a charter school several years ago.
Unification takes about five years.