VINEYARD — Experience in opening a new school, along with years of successful administration, helped principal Tom Tillman be selected to lead Alpine School District's new elementary school in Eagle Mountain.

Tillman, 37, of Saratoga Springs, has served as principal of Vineyard Elementary School for seven years. "I'm looking forward to the new opportunity," he said.

Alpine district superintendent Vernon Henshaw said Tillman was also chosen because of his passion for his job. "He loves children and is excited for another challenge," Henshaw said.

Alpine district announced the new hire Wednesday morning.

Tillman grew up in Missouri, then earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Brigham Young University in 1995, after which he began teaching at Orem Elementary School.

Kim Roper, now principal of Bonneville Elementary School in Orem, hired Tillman at Orem Elementary. "He is an extraordinary educator," Roper said. "He will do a great job at that new school. He is patient, steady, calm and confident."

While teaching, Tillman went back to BYU for a master's in education with an administrative endorsement, which he completed in 2001.

Tillman's first principal role was at Vineyard Elementary.

In 2004 Alpine district sold the 1970s school building, at 800 S. 950 West, Orem, to Utah Valley State College to be used for its College of Education. Vineyard Elementary moved that summer to its current new building location at 620 E. Holdaway Road, Vineyard.

"I'll tell you, it was a great experience," Tillman said, adding he learned everything from decorating to handling student traffic routes as he helped his staff transition.

Tillman will be overseeing decisions at the new school in Eagle Mountain, such as the mascot, colors and school name. He says he intends to ensure the community is involved.

"It's important because really the public elementary school is a fixture of the community," he said. "A school can be a real gem in a community."

Vineyard Elementary has 630 students. The new elementary school in Eagle Mountain is estimated to start with 723 students when it opens this fall. Total capacity of the school is 1,000 students.

Tillman broke the news to his tearful staff during a meeting at 7:45 a.m. Wednesday. "Change is always difficult but it can also bring about unforeseen opportunities for growth and professional development," he said.

Teachers and other staff said the principal is known for his excellent leadership skills and kindness toward students.

"The kids love him. We'll be sad to see him leave. He's a very friendly and kind person," said Vineyard Elementary secretary Carol Graves.

"He has always been there when I needed help," said Maryann Livoti, first-grade teacher at Vineyard Elementary.

Tillman takes on his new role July 1. He said he has already been out to the new school site several times during the past month to see how things are coming along.

Construction of the new elementary school began in October. Currently the building cost is $13.9 million, according to district officials.

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