State law at the time ensured those schools would remain in Granite District, outside the long-standing city school district's boundaries. But if Murray's neighboring east-side Granite areas split off, a new law says the buildings would fold into Murray, giving Murray School District the three schools.

Granite District officials, responding to a Deseret Morning News query, estimated those schools' potential worth around $94 million, based on replacement costs at today's construction rates and estimated market value for the land.

"We've not looked at it like, this is a great boon," considering the district would have to close either Cottonwood High or the brand new Murray High if put in that situation, Murray Superintendent Richard Tranter said. "It's something the school district hasn't asked for, and if the voters say this is what we want, we'll do our best."

The Murray Board of Education is neutral on the issue and has not discussed possibilities, Tranter said. But if the district takes in the three schools, it could use the two elementaries, but Cottonwood High likely would face a different end.

Granite's analysis says Cottonwood's enrollment would drop from 1,400 to 629 in that scenario.

Possibilities include closing Cottonwood — a guaranteed lightning rod for community angst — selling it, or putting Hillcrest Junior High there, as that school needs rebuilding, Tranter said. Murray High also would need an addition to house 350 new students.

It's uncertain what might happen to the Academy for Math, Engineering & Science charter school, now housed at Cottonwood.

"We'd still exist, just probably have to look at a different location," said AMES Board of Trustees chairman Hiram Alba. That wouldn't be easy, considering AMES students participate in Cottonwood extracurricular activities and classes. But, he adds, "AMES High School is a kind of an asset wherever it ends up going, if it ends up going. We feel there is a benefit to anyone who would house or team up with AMES."

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E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com; astowell@desnews.com