What Is the Proposed Desert Canyons Elementary Boundary Change? Quick Answer
Washington County School District is proposing an elementary boundary change that would take effect in August 2027 and affect three schools in the St. George area: Desert Canyons Elementary, Bloomington Hills Elementary and Little Valley Elementary. The district posted the proposal, a parent letter dated October 28, 2026, and a map on its boundaries and routes page. A public meeting is set for Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 6 p.m. at Desert Canyons Elementary. The Board of Education will take public comment at its December 14 and January 11 meetings. Nothing is final yet.
The idea first came up in the board's October 26 work session, where district staff said Desert Canyons has been growing quickly and is on track to stay the district's largest elementary school.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who is affected | Students in parts of the White Dome area and two undeveloped areas near them |
| Schools involved | Desert Canyons, Bloomington Hills and Little Valley elementary schools |
| Takes effect | August 2027 (2027-28 school year), if the board adopts it |
| Public meeting | Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026, 6 p.m., Desert Canyons Elementary |
| Public comment at board meetings | Monday, Dec. 14, 2026, and Monday, Jan. 11, 2027, district office, 121 W. Tabernacle, St. George |
| Busing | Provided for qualifying affected students, per the district letter |
Which Neighborhoods Would Move?
The district's letter describes four areas. Using the district's wording for boundaries:
- White Dome area south of White Dome Drive: students east of River Road, south of White Dome Drive, north of Southern Parkway and west of Lansky Drive would attend Little Valley Elementary.
- White Dome area north of White Dome Drive: students east of River Road, north of White Dome Drive, out to the White Dome Nature Preserve would attend Bloomington Hills Elementary.
- Undeveloped area east of Hamilton Drive: north of Southern Parkway, to the rear property line of homes on Malitosh Way, would go to Little Valley Elementary.
- Undeveloped area north of Malitosh Way: east of the White Dome Nature Preserve and north of the Malitosh Way homes, extending to 4150 South, would be part of the Bloomington Hills Elementary boundary.
The district publishes an interactive proposed-boundary map; the link is on the boundaries page. To see which school serves a specific address today, the district's current boundary maps include an address search.
What District Staff Said at the Oct. 26 Work Session
The item was listed on the agenda as "Elementary Boundary Update." The district posted audio of the work session on the Utah Public Notice Website. The board had not approved minutes as of this writing, so the following comes from the recording and may differ from the final minutes.
- Growth: A district staff member said Desert Canyons has added roughly 60 to 70 students in some years and closer to 100 in others. The enrollment figures read aloud were 417 students in 2021, 510 in 2022, 605 in 2023, 670 in 2024 and 744 in 2025, then 734 this year after the boundary change made last year. Staff said they expect Desert Canyons to remain the largest elementary school over time.
- Where the growth is: staff said most new growth at Desert Canyons is on its east end, that the south side of White Dome is largely built out, and that new homes are going in on the north side of White Dome.
- Options: staff showed enrollment projections for moving all of the White Dome area to Little Valley, and for splitting White Dome north and south. According to the recording, the split was described as making more sense from a numbers standpoint, and the south side was described as more closely knit than the newer north side.
- Last year’s change: a smaller boundary change last year sent about 25 students to Little Valley, according to the recording. Staff said some Little Valley families had raised concerns about more students at that school.
- Parent feedback: staff said they met with some Desert Canyons parents, who were nervous about a change but understood the school is getting large. Some parents said they would rather stay at a big school than move.
- If nothing changes: a board member said more portable classrooms would be needed at Desert Canyons.
What Happens Next
On the recording, staff described a parent meeting in November, then two public hearings at regular board meetings in December and January, with the goal of a final decision in January so staff can plan projections and staffing. The district's letter now lists the specific dates:
- Nov. 9, 2026: regular Board of Education meeting, 4:30 p.m. (not listed in the district’s boundary letter)
- Nov. 12, 2026, 6 p.m.: public meeting at Desert Canyons Elementary
- Dec. 14, 2026: public comment at the board meeting (the letter lists 4:35 p.m.)
- Jan. 11, 2027: public comment at the board meeting; the recording points to a decision in January
Public comment can also be given in writing; the district asks speakers to complete its public comment form. For other district dates this fall, see our Washington County School District fall break guide. For more on the area, see our St. George city guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the proposed Desert Canyons Elementary boundary change?
Washington County School District proposes moving students in the White Dome area south of White Dome Drive to Little Valley Elementary and students north of White Dome Drive to Bloomington Hills Elementary, starting in August 2027. Two undeveloped areas east of Hamilton Drive and north of Malitosh Way would also be assigned.
When can parents comment on the Desert Canyons boundary change?
The district lists a public meeting on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026, at 6 p.m. at Desert Canyons Elementary, and public comment at the Board of Education meetings on Monday, Dec. 14, 2026, and Monday, Jan. 11, 2027, at the district office, 121 W. Tabernacle in St. George.
When will the school board decide?
The district has not posted a vote date. According to the Oct. 26 meeting recording, district staff said they hope to make a final decision at the January board meeting. The regular January meeting is on the district calendar for Jan. 11, 2027.
Will the district provide buses for affected students?
The district's parent letter says bus transportation would be provided for all qualifying students affected by the proposed boundary changes.
How big is Desert Canyons Elementary?
According to the meeting recording, a district staff member gave enrollment of 417 students in 2021, 510 in 2022, 605 in 2023, 670 in 2024 and 744 in 2025, and 734 for this year after last year's small boundary change.
Sources
- Washington County School District: Boundaries and Routes, proposed 2027-28 changes and parent letter dated Oct. 28, 2026
- Utah Public Notice Website: Oct. 26, 2026 special meeting agenda of the Washington County Board of Education
- Utah Public Notice Website: audio recording of the Oct. 26, 2026 working session (elementary boundary update)
- Washington County School District: Board of Education meeting schedule 2026-27
- Utah Public Notice Website: Washington County Board of Education notices
Published November 1, 2026. District information last checked October 29, 2026; the board has not voted.
