Revised: A previous version of this message did not have the Budget Preview information.

April 30, 2026

The Kyrene Governing Board spent the first months of 2026 focused on data, transparency and long-term planning. From academic progress to enrollment analysis, the Board has continued its commitment to making informed decisions in the best interests of students, staff and families.

2026 Governing Board Goals

At the March 24 meeting, the Board unanimously adopted three goals to guide its work this year:

By the final Governing Board meeting in June 2026, the Board will collaborate with the superintendent to develop a framework for sharing updates on current and future school consolidation considerations with the board, staff, and community.

By the final Governing Board meeting in August 2026, review and revise the board communication handbook to clearly define the process for items listed for future consideration, with criteria distinguishing discussion items from items requiring formal presentations. The board will make changes necessary to improve decision-making efficiency and organizational alignment, allowing district leadership to remain focused on initiatives that directly support student achievement and staff effectiveness.

By the final Governing Board meeting in December 2026, the board will adopt policy and collaborate with the superintendent to establish procedures for regular review and analysis of enrollment and demographic projections, facility utilization, and long-range facility needs. The board will use this information to guide data-informed decisions that ensure students and staff have access to safe, appropriately sized learning environments as well as the resources necessary for effective teaching and learning.

These goals reflect the Board’s commitments to transparency, responsible governance, student achievement and strong fiscal management.

A Focus on Data

In February, the Board reviewed a midyear update on academic progress tied to Kyrene’s strategic plan goal areas of Early Literacy, Academic Progress, Sense of Belonging and Equity.

Reading scores increased across all grade levels. In grades 3–5, students meeting reading goals rose from 52% to 55%, while grades 6–8 increased from 50% to 54%. Kindergarten saw the most significant growth, with the percentage of students meeting benchmark rising from 32% at the beginning of the year to 63% by midyear.

In math, 40% of K–5 students were at grade level by midyear, a 20% increase since the start of the year. Middle school math scores dipped slightly 49% to 47% and will be an area of continued focus.

Students’ sense of belonging also showed gains, with 49% of middle school students reporting favorable responses to sense-of-belonging questions in an annual survey, a two-point increase over last year and ten points above the goal for this school year. Administrators credited Kyrene's Character Strong social-emotional curriculum across middle schools as a contributing factor.

Keeping Families in Kyrene

The board looked at a different set of data in March, when they reviewed a tool developed by two Arizona public school alumni called SignalEd. The platform uses data to analyze enrollment patterns as well as what those patterns reveal about school choice and the reasons families either choose to leave or stay with public education in Arizona. The company, Bespoke Economics, collaborated with the Arizona Department of Education, Kyrene School District, and a dozen other Arizona districts to develop the platform.

The Governing Board is exploring a partnership with the company to understand why some families choose options other than Kyrene and to predict which current students are at risk of leaving. By understanding families’ reasons for choosing schools outside of the district, the Board can make data-informed decisions to ensure the services in Kyrene reflect the needs of families.

Budget Preview 

It is budget season for public school districts, which means the Kyrene Governing Board is engaging in a series of discussions to prepare for the 2027 fiscal year. In March, Associate Superintendent and Chief Financial Officer Chris Herrmann presented an early look at Kyrene's 2027 budget, shaped largely by continued enrollment decline. The district projects a loss of approximately 582 students, primarily due to demographic changes, as the eighth-grade class moving on to high schools is significantly larger than the anticipated incoming kindergarten class. Upcoming school closures are projected to contribute an additional 7% enrollment decline, an expectation the board factored into its discussions regarding school closures in the first half of this year.

Budget conversations will continue as the state works through its own funding uncertainties. Throughout this process, the Board remains committed to Kyrene's timeless spending model, directing the majority of resources where they matter most—to students and classrooms.

Kyrene Forward: The Guiding Coalition

As the Governing Board continues its work to move Kyrene Forward, they had the opportunity to hear from the Kyrene Guiding Coalition this spring. The coalition is a cross-functional group assembled to lead the district's strategic change work. Coalition members were selected through a blind application process open to all staff, with candidates scored on passion and alignment with the district to ensure a diverse, genuine cross-section of voices. 

The coalition developed a shared vision statement, which drives the group’s strategic initiatives moving forward. Any work that doesn't advance that vision is set aside. Using a research-backed change management framework, the coalition's goal is to build majority buy-in across the organization. The group has developed six initiatives: Employee Communication, Family Connection, Connecting Schools, Kyrene Idea Labs, Career Pathways and Staff Connection. Three initiatives will be prioritized in the first year, with subcommittees leading implementation. 

Connect With Your Governing Board

The Kyrene Governing Board consists of five members, each elected to a four-year term. Community members may contact the Board by emailing governingboard@kyrene.org. Regular board meetings, study sessions and board retreats are open to the public and live-streamed on the Kyrene website and the Kyrene YouTube channel. For more information about Governing Board meetings, policies and responsibilities, visit the Kyrene Governing Board online.