Washington County school board sets hearings on Desert Canyons Elementary boundary change

The Washington County School District has posted notice of public hearings on proposed boundary changes among Desert Canyons, Little Valley and Bloomington Hills elementary schools. The Board of Education will hold the hearings at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 14, and Monday, Jan. 11, 2027, at the district office, 121 W. Tabernacle in St. George. The notice was posted Oct. 29. ^[1]

The notice lists four areas. Homes east of River Road, south of White Dome Drive, north of Southern Parkway and west of Lansky Drive would move from Desert Canyons to Little Valley. Homes east of River Road and north of White Dome Drive, up to the White Dome Nature Preserve, would move from Desert Canyons to Bloomington Hills. ^[1]

Two undeveloped areas are also included. Land east of Hamilton Drive and north of Southern Parkway would move to Little Valley. Land north of Malitosh Way, extending to 4150 South, would be zoned for Bloomington Hills. The notice says no students currently attend the three schools from the area north of Malitosh Way. Maps of the proposals are on the district's boundaries and routes page. ^[1]

The proposal follows enrollment concerns the board heard on Sept. 28. According to the minutes, Assistant Superintendent Nate Esplin said Desert Canyons had grown back to 731 students after last year's boundary change, with about 446 on the Desert Canyons side and 275 on the White Dome side, and had one empty classroom. Esplin planned to return with ideas for boundary changes. ^[2]

The board's special meeting on Oct. 26 listed an elementary boundary update by Esplin in a work session. The notice for that meeting carries audio recordings but no minutes yet. ^[3]

Separately, the board will hold a public hearing at 4:35 p.m. on Nov. 9 on an amendment to the 2026-27 adopted budget. The notice says a copy of the adopted budget is available on the district website. ^[4]