The Kyrene School District Governing Board has approved a long-range plan that includes closing six schools over the next two years and making changes to school boundaries. The decision, made on Tuesday, is intended to address declining student enrollment and improve the district’s financial outlook.
After months of public meetings and several changes based on community input, the board finalized a plan that will close three schools at the end of this school year—Kyrene de la Colina, Kyrene de la Estrella, and Kyrene de las Manitas—and three more in the following year: Kyrene Traditional Academy, Akimel A-al Middle School, and Kyrene del Pueblo Middle School. Maps and detailed transition timelines are available at www.kyrene.org/longrangeplan.
Superintendent Laura Toenjes addressed families and employees about the impact of these closures. “The Kyrene Governing Board took what may be the most significant action in our district’s history, in order to preserve the Kyrene experience now and for generations to come,” Toenjes said. “The board’s decision is the result of listening, learning and weighing the real human impact alongside the long-term sustainability of our district.”
According to district estimates, these changes are expected to close a projected budget shortfall of $6.7 million over five years as enrollment is forecasted to drop by about 1,000 students. The consolidation aims to ensure that resources can be focused on maintaining small class sizes, retaining experienced teachers, providing targeted student support services, offering a variety of electives, and continuing extracurricular activities.
During the December 16 board meeting, Superintendent Toenjes also stated: “We have said often that long-range planning is about setting up future generations of Kyrene for success, but I also want to stress for our community that, if the board votes to move forward with a plan that closes schools, we will take great care to support the students and staff who are part of Kyrene right now.”
The district has begun work on transition planning and communication efforts. An online portal has been launched where families can find updates, timelines, and answers to common questions about these changes. However, some information such as new bus routes or bell schedules may not be released until January due to winter break.
