Families with sixth-graders in the Canyons School District who live between 1.5 and 2 miles from their boundary school will need to find another ride when classes resume August 17.
A bill passed during Utah's 2025 legislative session raised the busing eligibility threshold for sixth-grade students from 1.5 miles to 2 miles, matching the standard already in place for grades 7 through 12. The district did not specify how many students fall in that 1.5-to-2-mile range.
The shift prompted route changes for the 2025-26 school year, and the district said in a press release July 20, that most of those changes remain in place for 2026-27.
Under the current law, the district receives state funding to bus general-education students in kindergarten through fifth grade who live at least 1.5 miles from school and students in grades 6 through 12 who live at least 2 miles away.
How to check your route
Updated bus routes for the coming school year are available on the district's transportation portal. The district urged families to check routes and stop times before the first day of school.
Space-available permits open August 3
For students who no longer qualify, the district will continue its space-available bus permit program. Applications open at 8:30 a.m. August 3, the same day back-to-school online registration begins. Seats are assigned first-come, first-served based on the timestamp of each submitted application.
Key rules for the permit program:
- Students who already qualify under state law do not need to apply.
- Students attending schools outside their designated geographic boundaries are not eligible, except those riding SALTA routes.
- Permits will not take effect immediately. Transportation for non-qualifying students won't be available during the first few weeks of school while the district verifies how many students are guaranteed seats under state law.
- By September 11, the Transportation Department will provide schools with a list of approved permit holders. Families will be notified automatically through the online system.
Families without a computer or internet access may use computers in school lobbies to complete the application.
First day of school dates
- Grades 1–12: Monday, August 17
- Kindergarten: Wednesday, August 19
- Preschool: Monday, August 24
Parents with questions can call the Canyons District Transportation Department at 801-826-5264 or visit canyonsdistrict.org/depts/transportation.
