Members of the city school board went on record Wednesday night opposing a proposed annexation of a portion of Millcreek into Murray.
The board voted 4-1 to oppose the annexation, with board member Earl Townsend dissenting.The board's decision came a day after an estimated 300 people demonstrated at Murray City Hall opposing the proposal. The demonstration, coupled with information that it would cost the district $4 million in building costs alone to accommodate some 1,200 Granite School District students who reside in the targeted area, prompted the school board to take a formal position.
School board president Sherry Madsen said the demonstration was a defining moment in Murray history.
"I've never been more proud to live in Murray as I was last night. I wanted to stand up on a chair and say `I love this town.' I was also proud my opinion was the same as the citizens who were there. I'm opposed to this annexation."
Board members voiced concern the vote might be misconstrued. The Murray City Council - not the school board - will ultimately decide whether to annex the Millcreek section to the city.
The council cannot consider the issue unless petitioners deliver the required number of certified signatures to bring the issue to a vote.
Presently lacking the needed signatures, the petition campaign has been extended until next spring. Board member Mildred Horton said she doubted a time extension would make make much difference in the outcome. She questioned the rationale of taking a formal position since the City Council was already aware the majority of the school board members oppose the annexation.
"We're on opposite sides of the fence. There's a wedge already. I don't see any reason to make it a bigger emotional issue," Horton said.
Patrons argued the annexation campaign is at a critical juncture and a statement by the school board would affirm its earlier commitment to keep down class sizes, hire more counselors and improve test scores if Murray residents would pay slightly higher property taxes.
Jeff Collete, a member of a citizens advisory board empaneled when the tax was levied five years ago, said the school board had a duty to maintain the integrity of that arrangement.
"If the annexation goes through, that's not going to happen. You know it and we know it," he said.
Townsend, the only board member who supports the annexation, said he feared the school board was being shortsighted, given the explosive growth anticipated along the Wasatch Front in the next 20 years.
"I think, in the long run, it could be good for Murray," Townsend said. He recalled previous battles over the development of Fashion Place Mall and the construction of Murray's City Hall.
"There are people who fight everything. As far as I'm concerned, nothing ventured, nothing gained."