That's the bottom line, according to the Granite Board of Education, which on Tuesday endorsed a resolution that seeks to keep the school district intact.

"To delude ourselves that [splitting the district] is not going to hurt kids is extremely naive," board Vice President Julene Jolley said.

The resolution signed by board President Sarah Meier and Granite Superintendent Stephen F. Ronnenkamp argues that a proposal by Holladay, South Salt Lake and Salt Lake County to carve off a portion of Granite to form a new east-side district could hamper educational opportunities.

Those opportunities include programs such as the Granite Technical Institute, which provides opportunities for students to get technical training to prepare for careers, and the Hartvigsen Center for special needs students, neither of which may survive if the district splits.

The resolution points out that "the size and diversity of the student population . . . make the district attractive to governmental agencies, universities, businesses and other entities seeking to invest in and partner with public schools."

In addition, Granite's size "provides flexibility and opportunities as well as stability in the event of population fluctuations for educators, making the district competitive in providing a superior educational infrastructure and recruiting and retaining excellent educators."

Board members acknowledged Granite patrons who favor a split don't feel well-represented by the board, and several people spoke to that point Tuesday.

Shonnie Hays of the Mount Olympus Community Council presented a resolution asserting that smaller school districts, among other attributes, would enable more direct involvement and a greater voice for east-side teachers and parents in decisions that affect their schools.

Board members responded that their own resolution voices a pledge to do a better job of listening and responding to patron concerns. "We're committed to improving and doing better," board member Gaylene Gandy said.

lisac@sltrib.com