Granite board takes no stand on district split

Looks like the Granite Board of Education won't take a stand on cities splitting off and forming their own school districts — at least not yet.

"It's dead for now," board President Patricia Sandstrom said.

The board was set Tuesday night to vote on a resolution supporting a unified Granite School District. But after Sandstrom talked about it with individual members, she said the idea, which board member Hank Bertoch floated a couple weeks ago, fizzled.

"It's become apparent, although there are areas of agreement, there is not a single area at this time we can all agree upon," Sandstrom said. "Therefore, we don't have a resolution for you tonight to propose or discuss."

South Salt Lake and Holladay, located within Granite boundaries, have examined creating a smaller school district, as has Cottonwood Heights, which straddles Granite and Jordan school districts.

Several Jordan District cities, including Midvale, Sandy, Alta and Draper, also are looking into the idea. The Granite board is believed to be the first to examine taking a stand in the controversial debate.

Both Alpine and Jordan districts have taken a wait-and-see approach. In recent weeks, immediate efforts to split Alpine were nixed by the Orem and Pleasant Grove city councils. Sandstrom says it may be better to wait until the cities gather information, and see what it says, before taking a stand.

"We feel it's a little premature" to act now, she said.

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