We are pleased to announce that on December 1, 2023, we received the official results that Cache County voters passed the CCSD bond proposition. We acknowledge with appreciation the support shown by our community for the students and schools in Cache County School District. Now that the bond has passed, we will begin moving forward with the first steps toward the construction projects. It is anticipated that the two new middle schools will be completed by Fall of 2026, and the new elementary school will be completed by Fall of 2027. Safety and security enhancements will begin to be implemented at schools across the district as early as possible. 

On August 17, 2023, the Cache County Board of Education voted to place a $139 million general obligation bond proposition on the November 2023 ballot. The Board's decision comes after a year of careful study by a Building Task Force consisting of community members from each voting precinct, school and district staff, and members of the Board of Education.

Substantial enrollment growth and State funding for all-day kindergarten has greatly increased the demand for classroom space in the District’s elementary schools. 

GROWTH

Since voters passed the last bond in 2013, the Cache County School District has experienced significant growth, adding 4,197 students. Due to that unprecedented growth, 11 of the District's 17 elementary schools and one middle school are operating above capacity. To accommodate growth at these locations, the District is utilizing 38 portable classrooms.   

ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN

The State of Utah now provides funding for all-day kindergarten. Due to a lack of classroom space, the District cannot fully provide this option to all of its 27 communities. The District relies on a lottery system in six schools and cannot offer the option at all in five additional schools, due to a lack of classrooms. 

SAFETY AND SECURITY MEASURES

The safety and security of our students and staff are a top priority. Bond funds would allow for enhanced safety and security measures at each of our schools.

The proposed projects for this bond include the addition of two new middle schools, the construction of a new elementary school, and the conversion of the District’s smallest middle school into an elementary school. These additions allow the District to move sixth grade out of the elementary schools and back to a middle school environment.

This course resolves capacity issues for all 17 elementary schools and allows the District to offer all-day kindergarten for all 27 communities. It also has the added benefit of providing four feeder middle schools--one for each of the four high schools. It also provides room in both elementary and secondary schools to accommodate growth well into the future.

The District also plans to use a portion of bond funds to provide safety and security enhancements for all 25 of its schools. 

BREAKDOWN OF PROPOSED BOND PROJECTS IN ORDER OF PRIORITY

• New 6th-8th grade middle school in Hyde Park
• New 6th-8th grade middle school in Nibley
• Conversion of Spring Creek Middle School to a K-5th grade elementary school 
• New northern end K-5th grade elementary school in Hyde Park or Smithfield
• Secured School Entryways and Other Safety Improvements

PROPOSED LOCATIONS AND FIRST RENDERINGS OF NEW SCHOOL BUILDINGS

To save taxpayer money, the District will utilize the same floor plan for both new middle schools and a previously purchased floor plan for the new elementary school. 

• New Hyde Park Middle School (200 West 250 South, Hyde Park)
• New Nibley Middle School (915 West 3200 South, Nibley)

• New northern end elementary school in Hyde Park or Smithfield (address TBD)

• Property owners can anticipate no tax rate increase related to this bond. Based on conservative estimates and assuming taxable value remains steady, payment of the 2023 bond would fit within the existing rate or possibly be even lower. This is possible because the District would structure future bond payments to layer with existing bond payments in a way that keeps the total amount of taxes assessed per year within the current tax rate.

   

  Property taxes are calculated by multiplying the tax rate by the property value. While some taxpayers may experience increases in taxes paid for the school district bond debt, this would be the result of increased property values and not due to a higher tax rate.

   

  By approving this bond, taxpayers would be taking on additional debt, which will require a longer period of time to pay. In other words, without the issuance of this new debt, taxes would be lowered in upcoming years. If this debt is issued according to the plan, the overall tax burden on district taxpayers should remain approximately the same as now going forward.

   

  The District has a reputation for paying off its debt early through refinancing opportunities. The District also has a strong reputation for meeting project timelines and staying within budget.