"It probably at this point is a good place to pause and kind of catch our breath after we've been trying to jump so many hurdles at the last minute," Anderson said.

The proposed districts' boundaries, for instance, have been in flux — including efforts to draw east-side Cottonwood High into the west-side district, and west-side Taylorsville's 11th-hour interest in joining the secession.

"I've seen the Legislature be so responsive," Anderson said. "I say, let's keep pushing for it; this is too important an opportunity to miss."

Lawmakers are expected to debate a building equalization bill in the 2008 session, which begins in January. Other change also could be in the pipeline.

"I would like the Legislature to maybe look at providing school districts with a smorgasbord of (governance) options; then the district can pick one option instead of one size fits all," County Councilman Joe Hatch said.

Meanwhile, supporters of Cottonwood High School, which could have closed down in a school district split, wants to work with the district on governance reforms, said John Haglund, chairman of the school's community council.

The Granite Board of Education, which this week passed a resolution to keep the district intact, wants to study ways to better communicate with and listen to constituents, assistant to the superintendent Martin Bates said.

At the same time, the Small School Districts Coalition of parents and elected officials are scheduled to discuss a vision for a new school district, Anderson said.

If those efforts continue to gain steam, Haglund hopes residents throughout the district together would weigh if a split is a good idea, and if so, work out a scenario to benefit everyone.

"Let's work together," Haglund said, "instead of having part of the group drive the bus."

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