A sliver of homes in Taylorsville and Murray currently is aligned with West Jordan in the Jordan School District. If West Jordan's district boundaries follow municipality lines, as is required by state law to form a new district, that area would become an island, Burningham said.

Those issues likely could be resolved through interlocal agreements between the cities and school districts, but getting those in place in time to put the split on the ballot could be tricky.

Cities on the east side of Salt Lake County have encountered other problems with ambiguity in the new state law allowing cities to form smaller school districts, and elected leaders are proposing to solve them through a legislative amendment in 2008.

"I'd be more than happy to hold off and wait to vote until all the issues are solved," Newton said, "if the east side would do the same thing."

Several residents who attended Friday afternoon's special council meeting expressed concern at how quickly city leaders are having to make a decision about the future of education in West Jordan.

"What does West Jordan ultimately gain?" asked resident Ray Graft. "The only thing I heard in the report that West Jordan would gain is local control, and I don't feel that's enough."

What's next?

The feasibility study is expected to be complete Thursday or Friday. West Jordan city officials said the document will be available on the city's Web site, www.wjordan.com.

A public hearing on West Jordan's proposed split from the Jordan School District has been set for 6 p.m. Aug. 6 at City Hall, 8000 S. Redwood Road. The City Council could vote on whether to put the split on the ballot during its regular meeting Aug. 7.

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