That was one of the findings revealed to the West Jordan City Council on Friday by consultants from Salt Lake City-based Lewis Young Robertson & Burningham Inc. The firm's final West Jordan school district feasibility study will be released Friday.

"From just a financial standpoint, [a west-side district] is more efficient without dividing it again," Jason Burningham, a principal with the firm, said in an interview.

But he urged City Council members to weigh more than just the cost. His research suggests a smaller district would allow greater local control in district decisions and enable smaller class sizes.

"We feel like a district division . . . would allow you more specifically to address the capital and facility needs in your city," Burningham said at the meeting.

By law, West Jordan voters will have the final say in a citywide district if City Council decides, later this month, to place the issue on the November ballot.

Stephanie Wright, whose daughter, Reily, attends elementary school in West Jordan, said she's not sure yet how she would vote.

"I'm torn. There are some good points [to having a West Jordan district], and there are some bad points," Wright said.

"What I wonder is . . . what are the impacts going to be on my taxes and what are the impacts going to be on [school] children?"

Salt Lake County Council still must weigh whether to place an east-side district option before voters. But if the Jordan district split occurred and if West Jordan formed its own district, West Jordan residents would pay, on average, 14 percent to 18 percent more property taxes to the new district. The other southwest Salt Lake County cities would see an average property tax increase of 25 percent to 30 percent.

The increase is calculated only for the portion of property taxes levied by a school district. Although east-side property taxes could decrease with an east-west division, west-side rates would increase because of the area's rapid growth and demand for new schools.

The study also found two potential obstacles in creating a West Jordan district. Tiny slivers of neighboring Murray and Taylorsville, containing 12 students total, are part of the Jordan School District - not the surrounding Granite and Murray school districts. A West Jordan school district would cut those students off from the rest of Jordan School District, which is against the law.

Burningham wasn't sure whether a new district can proceed without crafting interlocal agreements with Murray and Taylorsville to include those portions in a new West Jordan district.

West Jordan Mayor David Newton said the city would seek a legal opinion.

And, about 1,100 students in West Jordan attend Granite School District.

Burningham said the law suggests a new district can only be broken off of one existing district, but it could be possible to include the Granite students.

He asked council members to lobby the Legislature to refine the law this fall in a special session, which has been suggested by some lawmakers.

"There certainly is some ambiguity that makes it difficult for us to accomplish what we are trying to accomplish," Burningham said.

rwinters@sltrib.com