In Salt Lake County, Jordan and Granite school boards have closed some east-side schools where enrollments have been declining and neighborhoods are built out. Meanwhile, they're building on the west side, where many families are moving in and the housing market is growing.

Still, there are schools on the east side that are old and need repairs, Sandy's communication manager Trina Klingler has said.

Newbold told city leaders Tuesday he does not foresee any school closures within Sandy's boundaries.

Sandy's activity would determine whether a feasibility study, a formal step under the new law on creating smaller school districts, is in order. The examination comes as Jordan District attempts to find a way to shoulder a 30 percent increase in construction costs, costing $80 million of its $281 million bond voters approved in 2003, Newbold said. Another 24 schools could be needed in the district beyond that 22-school building bond to accommodate new growth — little of which is in Sandy, Newbold said.

Sandy accounts for about a quarter of Jordan District's expected property tax revenues. It is home to more than 20,300 Jordan District students and about 30 percent of district schools.

District officials have said they prefer to keep Jordan District united.

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