Draper is tentatively planning a July 10 public hearing on the proposed school-district split. City officials must make a decision by July 17 on whether they will take it to a city vote. The Better Boundaries group is also hosting its own meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the SunCrest Info Center Common Area. Draper Councilman Jeff Stenquist will be there, as well as Rep. John Dougall, R-American Fork, and Rep. Greg Hughes, R-Draper.

Although Murray has its own school district, a chunk of east Murray that is part of the Granite School District finds itself in a strange situation.

South Salt Lake, Holladay and Salt Lake County are discussing splitting from Granite School District, leaving an unknown fate for some 350 students from that area who now attend Granite schools.

Murray City Council on Tuesday hosted a public hearing for those residents. Because of the citywide district, which was formed more than 100 years ago, the city does not have a say in the district split.

The City Council stated, however, that it doesn't favor the plan to split.

"We agree this has pitted east against west," said Councilwoman Krista Dunn.

The city has various options in the small school district boundary changes for the portion they are calling east Murray.

The council could choose to participate in the rest of the east-side vote and allow the residents in that area of Murray to vote. Their future would then be dependent on the outcome of that vote. If the council decides to opt out and the east-side vote moves forward, Murray School District could inherit that east-Murray chunk. The future of Cottonwood High School and Twin Peaks and Woodstock elementary schools, which are all in east Murray and currently under Granite School District control, would then be decided by Murray School District.

Joining Murray School District, however, could mean those schools would be closed, because much of the school-age population comes from the west side.

At Cottonwood High, 850 students are west-side residents.

Nicole Little, a 2006 Cottonwood High graduate who was also the senior class president, noted that Cottonwood students would not be happy going to their rival school, Murray High. "Have you thought about the integration (of the students)?" she asked.

The majority of meeting attendees said they wanted to be a part of Murray School District. District officials said they have room for the extra students and welcome them.

A public hearing will be at 6 p.m. tonight in the choral room at Murray High School. The meeting is intended for patrons of the Murray School District.

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