They had assumed that the money saved by closing Cottonwood Heights and Mountview elementary schools would be reinvested in the northeast area - their area - of the district. At a Tuesday night meeting of Jordan School District and Cottonwood Heights city officials, however, they learned that it might take time before they realized the benefits of those savings.

"We have to look at the whole district," said Peggy Jo Kennett, president of the Jordan School Board. She explained to the mayor, city council members and the dozen or so in the audience that the district had four middle schools that are in dire need of repair - not just Cottonwood Heights' Butler Middle School.

Kennett conceded that "we need to be sensitive to the fact that most of the money will be saved for the northeast area and that's what we're trying to do."

Still, Cullimore wished the purported rewards were more obvious.

In a tentative school-renovation plan presented by Burke Jolley, Jordan's business administrator, improvements to Butler Middle School wouldn't begin until 2010. Though Jolley and Kennett emphasized the plan was likely to change in the coming months, Cullimore told the group that his constituents would clamor for something more concrete.

"That's why some supported the closures," he said. "There will be some disappointment if they can't see a direct connection."

Crystal Merrill, who had two children attending Mountview Elementary and belonged to the PTA there, was grateful that Cullimore was there to speak on behalf of her and her friends. "I'm thrilled and pleased with him that he's keeping that issue on the table.

The Jordan School Board decided to close Cottonwood Heights and Mountview elementary schools at the end of this academic year due to declining enrollment in the northeast area. Many area residents protested the closures. The schools' last day is Friday.

Preliminary discussions also began about what the district would do with the closed buildings and the land around them. Board members said formal talks would not begin until the fall.

mcronin@sltrib.com