The Kyrene Long-Range Planning Committee has reached a consensus on a recommendation to address enrollment trends and facility use in the Kyrene Elementary School District. The committee, made up of nearly 60 parents, employees, and community partners, finalized its recommendation during its last meeting.
The recommendation will be presented to the Kyrene Governing Board on September 16. According to Superintendent Laura Toenjes, “That recommendation is outlined on our webpage, www.kyrene.org/longrangeplan, but I strongly recommend you watch the governing board presentation on September 16 for a full picture, with context. No decisions will be made until December at the earliest, to provide ample time for community input.”
Toenjes acknowledged the emotional nature of this process for school communities. “This is one of the most difficult and deeply emotional things a school district can go through, and the impact will be felt in every one of our school communities,” she said. “I want to stress that every school in Kyrene is special, and the recommendation that will go before the board is in no way a reflection of any school’s offerings or achievements. Just as every school in Kyrene is important, every school is also impacted by resources that are stretched too thin.”
She added that improving resource allocation remains central: “Kyrene’s goal is to have better-resourced schools, to maintain the level of excellence our students, staff and families deserve.”
All meetings of the committee were streamed live for public viewing and are available online at www.kyrene.org/longrangeplan.
Toenjes expressed appreciation for those involved: “I cannot even begin to thank the committee for their work over the last seven months. Nearly 60 parents, employees and community partners volunteered their time, immersed themselves in difficult discussions, and identified a path forward that could benefit Kyrene students and schools for many years to come.”
She also thanked community members for their patience: “As difficult as this is, Kyrene is one community, and we will navigate this together. Our schools and our district are exceptional, and they will continue to be exceptional, because it is not the building that makes the school—it’s the people inside.”
