Draper homeowners in the Canyons School District will pay about $27 more per year in property taxes after the Board of Education approved a certified tax rate adjustment at its Aug. 4 Truth-in-Taxation hearing in Sandy.

The increase applies to the average Canyons home valued at $770,000 and is expected to generate roughly $6.9 million in new revenue for the 2026-2027 school year, according to Business Administrator Leon Wilcox in the district's board summary. Of that, $2.2 million will fund a 0.75 percent cost-of-living raise for all district employees, $4.5 million will retire general-obligation bond debt early, and $210,000 will hire two teachers in manufacturing and engineering at the Canyons Innovation Center, the technical-training facility under construction at eBay's former regional headquarters in Draper.

As bond debt is paid off, the district says those funds will shift to elementary school building repairs without further increasing property taxes.

This marks only the fourth time in the district's 17-year history that the board has sought a rate above the standard certified level. The Utah Taxpayers Association identified Canyons as one of nine entities holding a Truth-in-Taxation hearing for the third consecutive year.

As we reported July 28, the board had been building toward this vote for months. At last year's equivalent hearing on Aug. 5, 2025, Board President Amber Shill said the legislature was putting the district in a hard position: "Either we have to cut services or we have to raise taxes. We don't want to raise taxes, but we are at that point where something has to give."

Lunch prices rise for the first time since 2022-23

The board also approved the first school meal price increases in three years. Starting this fall, elementary students will pay $2 for breakfast (up from $1) and $2.50 for lunch (up from $2). Secondary lunch jumps to $4, up from $2.25. Wilcox said the increases respond to a 16 percent rise in the consumer price index for food.

The changes hit most families. Five Title I schools will continue serving free breakfast and lunch: Copperview, East Midvale, Midvale, Midvalley and Sandy elementary schools. Board member Jackson Lewis encouraged the Canyons community at the June 16 meeting to contact state legislators in support of a universal school meals program.

Bell-to-bell phone ban for middle schoolers

A new technology-use policy bans cellphones, smartwatches, AI glasses and other emerging devices bell-to-bell at all Canyons middle schools. The policy follows new state law, according to Assistant Legal Counsel Jeff Christensen.

High schoolers face tighter rules during class time but may still use personal devices before school, at lunch and between periods, as long as use is not disruptive. During instruction, devices must be off or stored unless a teacher allows them for an educational purpose.

Food additive ban, Innovation Center update

The board approved a student wellness policy prohibiting specific food additives, including potassium bromate and several FD&C color dyes, in food sold or served in schools. Exceptions cover items brought from home, vending machines and concession stands at school events.

Board member Amanda Oaks noted that construction at the Innovation Center is well underway. "As demand for the Innovation Center increases, the Board and Administration should be prepared to make sure access is provided to as many students as possible," Oaks said at the June 16 meeting.

The board is also weighing a plan to move Entrada, the district's adult high school, and the Life Skills Academy to the Bella Vista building starting in 2027-28. The old Crescent View Middle building where Life Skills currently operates is under contract to be sold to Sandy City for $17 million.

School starts Monday, Aug. 17.