WEST JORDAN — The City Council put a stamp of approval Tuesday night on an agreement with the Jordan School District for a new elementary school on West Jordan's rapidly growing northwest side.

Construction on the new elementary at 6000 W. 7000 South is set to begin in May, with its doors opening for year-round school in July 2008. The school is expected to ease overcrowding at area schools, particularly Oakcrest Elementary.

The unanimous council vote to expedite construction of the new school came as a relief to West Jordan residents and parents of students at Oakcrest, which has an enrollment of more than 1,400 and is the most populated elementary school in the district.

"We're glad (the city and school district) came together to make this happen," said Becky Hutchins, organizer of the Concerned Parents Coalition, which for years has been pushing for a new elementary school in the area. "It's going to be a great thing for our kids. We really need this school."

The 20-acre lot where the school will be built is completely undeveloped, with no existing infrastructure. The city and school district had been haggling over responsibility for water and sewer lines, storm drains, roads or road improvements and other infrastructure.

The two sides reached an agreement last week that will allow construction of the estimated $13.5 million school to move forward. The deal had been subject to the City Council's approval.

The city agreed to share in the cost of a pedestrian path connecting the sidewalk of an existing subdivision to the school. All other infrastructure costs will be covered by the school district.

Under the deal, the Kearns Improvement District will serve the school's water and sewer needs, rather than West Jordan, because connections to the Kearns district are closer and therefore more cost- effective.

The school district also agreed to widen 7000 South by 10 feet in the area of the school and build a half-width road on the west side of the school for vehicular access.

Some members of the City Council had expressed concern about the half-width road, which goes against city code. The council granted an exception to the school district because the road will serve a much-needed public facility.

"It's not a regular development," Councilwoman Kathy Hilton said. "The half road will be used mainly by the school."

When the area surrounding the school is developed, the road will have to be completed, Hilton said.

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