It's time to start moving dirt -- Nebo gave the green light to start construction on Maple Mountain High and Landmark High during the board session on Valentine's Day.

It could have been in the spirit of love that they approved the bids -- or at least the love for the district.

"Happy Valentine's Day," said Dean Rowley as the meeting began. "There's a lot of places you could all be tonight and I guess board meeting is one of those."

The board supported the sub-contractor bids Steve Maughan, the district's director of operations, presented -- including $38 million for Maple Mountain and nearly $7.7 million for a new Landmark High.

"Do you remember when we thought we could complete that school for $25 millionfi" asked board member Debbie Swenson.

Chris Sorenson, the superintendent, said Springville High was built for $2 million in 1967.

The first question the board members asked Maughan, once they had approved the bids and agreed on rising costs: When can we startfi

"Pipe is already there, so we can start moving earth as early as tomorrow," Maughan said.

Nebo is the only district in the state to be constructing three high schools simultaneously, but the board feels it is a necessity with the district's current growth rate.

Salem Hills High, the district's other high school under construction is scheduled to be complete by March, according to the district's Web site, nebo.edu.

"We're growing at about 1,000 students a year, and if our projections are right, our current high schools will be full in two or three years," Maughan said. "Spanish Fork High was built for probably 900 students and now has 1,800."

Maple Mountain won't be finished until the summer of 2009, while the smaller Landmark should be done by January 2008.

Hogan Construction is the main contractor for Maple Mountain, which sits on about 50 acres at 50 N. 2550 South -- on the boundary of Mapleton and Spanish Fork. It will serve both Mapleton and Spanish Fork. Landmark will be built on 2 acres by Westland Construction, at 100 W. 600 South in Spanish Fork.

Maple Mountain is being funded by bond money approved about four years ago, according to Maughan, while Landmark's funding will come from the district's capital.

During the board meeting, board members also appointed three new principals -- at Payson Jr. High, at Springville High and Park View Elementary.

Swim team members from Springville High and Spanish Fork also addressed the board about the district's involvement with the swimming pool in Springville that has threatened to close its doors for safety reasons.

They asked Sorenson and the board to create a liaison between the school district, city and community members to help create a solution.

Sorenson said he would do everything in his power, and Lana Hiskey, the district's spokeswoman, said it would probably be included in a study session, where the board could talk more about the issue.

Brooke Barker can be reached at 344-2559 or bbarker@heraldextra.com.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page C1.