The decision in November to split your district means you must elect two new school boards in June.

While the current board will remain active and its current members will serve on one of the two new boards simultaneously for at least 17 months, seven new spots are up for grabs.

Elections will be held for three seats on the board representing the new district east of the Jordan River and for four seats on the board that will serve what remains of Jordan after the split.

If Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. signs SB71, which would refine some procedures for the split, the new board members will take office July 15.

Staffers at the Salt Lake County Clerk's Office already have been answering questions about school board races.

"People are interested in running," said Jason Yocom, the county clerk's chief deputy. He added many want to know the boundaries of the new board districts.

As of Friday at 5 p.m., 26 hopefuls had filed for seats on one of the two boards.

Ken Duckworth, of West Jordan, was among the first to file for school board Friday, the first day candidates could formalize their intention to run. March 17 is the filing deadline.

"More parents need to be involved," Duckworth said. ''I have kids in all levels. I wanted to find a way to serve all of the schools because it is too hard to do that on an individual bases, school by school.''

Duckworth, who is seeking the District 6 seat in the west-side district, has been active in PTA and sees serving on the school board as the next step.

"I know what's been done has been done and we have to work with what we have," Duckworth said of east-side voters' decision to break away from Jordan to form their own district.

Officials believe there will be enough candidates to fill positions on the two new boards.

West Jordan Mayor David Newton said those elected to the board that will represent what remains of Jordan will be able to create new opportunities for bolstering education.

"It's vitally important that people are aware [of the filing deadline] and that we get some good candidates in there," he said. "This is a critical time for the Jordan School District as we go into uncharted territories."

Newton proposed a West Jordan school district last fall that failed to gain voter approval, but he noted the city gains greater representation in a smaller Jordan. The city, which currently has one school board member, will gain three or four representatives in June's election.

Kelvyn Cullimore, mayor of Cottonwood Heights, expects to see three or four people vying for each seat on the new east-side board. "How often do you get a chance to be part of starting something new?"

Monte Millerberg, a lifelong Midvale resident, hopes his skills as a certified public accountant can earn him a spot on the east-side board.

"I'm pretty much very invested in the community," Millerberg said. "I see with the new district being formed, there will be a lot of issues from a financial end and I don't want to leave them for just anyone to do."

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* ROSEMARY WINTERS contributed to this story.

Through March 17, candidates wanting to run for a school board position can file at the Salt Lake County Clerk's Office, Elections Division, 2001 S. State St., Suite S1100. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. The filing fee is $25.