Alpine School District approves $238 million bond to build two new schools

SARATOGA SPRINGS, Utah (ABC4) — The Alpine School District voted unanimously to approve a new $238 million bond for the building of two new schools in the western half of the district.

Voting during their board meeting on April 22, the ASD board heard from residents who expressed concerns over overcrowding in the schools they currently had, and the need for more space for student mental health.

“This bond is desperately needed,” Eden Davenport, resident of Saratoga Springs, said during the meeting. “I have seen firsthand the negative implication that overcrowded schools have. I have the difficulties that some of our children face making social connections because our schools are at maximum capacity.”

The bond has become apart a timeline of events that began back in 2024 when the district voted to split itself into three separate districts. As a part of the new “West District,” the bond will fund the building of a new elementary school, and a new high school in Saratoga Springs. Unlike other bonds, the district is issuing “lease revenue bonds,” which are bonds that primarily funded by leases of public facilities.

As a part of S.B. 188, School District Modifications, which was passed in the 2025 General Session, opened up more options for school districts to raise funds for new buildings and other expenses, including lease revenue bonding.

With the future split in mind, the bond itself won’t be on ASD forever. The bill also specified that these bonds issued after Nov. 4, 2024, will fall on the new district to fund and pay for once they are formed in 2027.

The public comment for the bonds was brief, with only three residents commenting on the proposal. One resident came with concerns regarding the debt burden that the past bonds, and now passed bond will put on residents in the area.

“You’re tripling [the bond] just because you can,” John Gad, a resident of the district, told board members in opposition to resolution. “Which is a really horrible reason to take out debt for the next 31 years. Debt that I am going to be paying, and kids who aren’t even born yet are going to be paying property taxes on this debt you are going to be deciding on.”

Alpine had originally approved increases to property taxes back in 2023, and 2024. However, with this new funding, they are hoping to be able to provide the funding needed to build the proposed new schools.

Along with approving the bond, the ASD school board also approved the purchase of land in both Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs for the proposed schools. In total, the district approved the purchase of 83 acres of land.