Kyrene board adopts instructional time model for 2025–26 after public hearing
Summary
After two public hearings, the Kyrene Elementary District Governing Board approved an instructional time model required by ARS 15-808 that defines attendance rules for online, asynchronous and emergency remote instruction in 2025–26.
At its June 24 meeting, the Kyrene Elementary District Governing Board approved an instructional time model required under Arizona Revised Statutes §15-808 for the 2025–26 school year, approving flexible attendance definitions for students learning online or asynchronously.
The model, presented by Amy Gingell, director of academic equity and excellence, lays out four attendance options for recording instructional minutes for students not physically in a classroom and applies to Kyrene students enrolled in district online programs, including students registered at Centennial Middle School.
Gingell said the model allows districts to “provide flexibility in how in-person instruction is actually captured from an attendance point of view” and describes four approaches: fully asynchronous learning modules, participation in the Kyrene online learning program (with daily teacher-led instruction plus asynchronous modules), teacher-led online instruction used in limited emergency situations, and standard in-person attendance for students physically on campus even when they take an online class from another instructor.
Under the model, students who log in to a teacher-led online session are marked present when they join the session, Gingell said. Students who complete required asynchronous assignments are marked present once a teacher confirms the work is done; if students are unable to complete assignments within 10 school days they are marked absent for the corresponding days. When students attend online courses while physically present in a Kyrene building, they are treated as in-person for attendance purposes.
The board voted 5–0 to adopt the model for 2025–26. Cedric Collins made the motion; the motion was seconded by Member Satri and carried unanimously.
The policy change follows two statutorily required public hearings; Gingell conducted the second presentation and answered board questions before the vote.
The adopted model applies to Kyrene online program students and to any teacher-led remote instruction used during district closures or emergency conditions; the board did not modify the model during the June 24 meeting.
