Despite east-side cities' claims that the split is all about gaining local control and improving education, Mascaro said it's really about money — about east-side cities not wanting to foot the bill for growth on the west side of Salt Lake County.

"The end result is we have an east-west war going on that isn't healthy for any of us," Mascaro said.

Resident Jeff Haaga said that's another reason West Jordan shouldn't break away from the Jordan district, no matter what happens on the east side.

"We're talking about doing the same things the east side is doing to us," Haaga said. "They're telling us, 'We're going to split; here's all the scraps.' If we split, we'd be telling our neighbors, the future growth of the county, 'Here's all the scraps."'

Mascaro said he believes it's unlikely an east-side exodus from the Jordan School District will make it onto the ballot because the cities need cooperation from Salt Lake County. The County Council, he said, is reluctant to participate unless the issues of capital-cost equalization, constitutionality and capital-asset distribution are addressed.

For that to happen, the Legislature would need to convene a special session, Mascaro said, which he said also is unlikely.

"I don't think it's going to happen," he said. "There is no emergency in having to make a decision about the splits now. We can wait until the 2008 General Session."

Councilwoman Kathy Hilton was the lone member of the City Council to speak in favor of putting a split on the ballot in November, expressing frustrations with the Jordan School District over when and where new schools are built.

"Our schools are getting more overcrowded while we wait (to form a West Jordan district)," Hilton said.

---

E-mail: jpage@desnews.com