The new district would have to help repay bonds already issued before the split.

What happens to my property taxes if I live in the old district and part of it secedes? Again, tough to answer because of the complex factors involved.

But sticking with the Jordan District example, the remaining district basically would be the growing west side. The assessed valuation would be lowered, with all the debt from not-yet issued bonds to pay back, Jolley said. Jordan would "have a lower credit rating, and more debt per student per household, and that would translate into higher tax rates to repay those borrowings."

But Cox says tax increases would not be automatic; they would have to be OK'd by the school board or voters. And increases could be isolated to only the bond, which is only part of the property tax. He also notes the majority of schools' operating funds come from the state, not the property tax.

"There are those that want to ... undercut the movement," Cox said.

Who gets the schools? A bill being drafted now would attempt to clarify how property would be divided. The proposal would create two transition teams to represent the old and the new district to do it, and their decisions would be final. Property like desks and buses would be based on number of students. Real estate would be divided based on the new district's assessed valuation, perhaps sans RDAs. The proposal will be discussed again Sept. 14, and flexibility for divvying buildings might be added.

What happens to the teachers? Teachers within new district boundaries would be employed by the new school district and, for the first year, assume the old district's policies, including benefits and salary packages, to ensure their pay isn't cut, Cox says. The year after that, though, they'd negotiate a new contract.

But Vik Arnold, Utah Education Association director of government relations and political action, wonders about the details and what will happen to teachers in the old school district. Will they all be needed anymore? Will some be laid off? "It could create a real mess," he said.

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E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com