The Sandy City Council plans to hold the first in a series of public hearings Thursday to help determine whether Jordan School District's east side wants to break away and form a new district.

Sandy, Cottonwood Heights, Midvale, Alta, Draper and Salt Lake County - all have sponsored informational meetings over the past month - must weigh public sentiment and submit ballot language to the Salt Lake County Clerk by Aug. 15 - if they want voters to decide the issue this fall.

"Unequivocally, the vast majority of the residents I've communicated with are strongly in favor of the school-district division," says Sandy City Council Chairman Dennis Tenney, who argues smaller districts can give parents more control.

"The advantages for both [east and west] sides ultimately outweigh, considerably, the disadvantages."

A feasibility study released by the east-side governments in May found that a robust tax base on the east side would easily meet future needs to rehabilitate old schools - and even precipitate a drop in taxes.

On the west side, the portrait differed, with projected population growth fueling the demand for at least 25 new schools and a $149 to $209 annual tax increase on a $300,000 home.

Additionally, Jordan School District has questioned whether it is constitutional to hold a public vote on the issue without allowing west-side residents to cast their ballots, as well.

State law allows the east-siders to break away without giving residents remaining in the district a say in the matter.

In a May letter, the district's board suggested a vote be delayed until that question is resolved.

Sen. Carlene Walker, who sponsored the 2006 law allowing school-district splits, has said the process does not violate the U.S. Constitution and is based on municipal incorporation, which has been in place for decades.

Tenney says east-side governments are looking into the Jordan School District's concerns, but have to move forward if they want to allow a public vote in November.

West-side residents also are invited to the public hearings.

"We on the east side are sensitive to [west-siders'] concerns and are willing to do our part," Tenney says, adding that he supports $196 million in bonds recently approved by Jordan's board.

East-siders will continue to pay off those bonds for new west-side schools for 10 years, regardless of whether a split happens.

"We want to be as fair and as equitable as possible."

rwinters@sltrib.com