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Kyrene board recognizes students, names spelling-bee champ and hears two public commenters

Kyrene Elementary District (4267) Governing Board · February 11, 2026

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Summary

At its Feb. 10 meeting the Kyrene Elementary District board celebrated "Super Students," announced district spelling-bee champion Josh Garcia and heard two public comments: a teacher's expression of thanks and a nonprofit directorpitching youth programs for the district.

The Kyrene Elementary District governing board used part of its Feb. 10 meeting to highlight students and community activity. Board members recognized multiple "Kyrene Super Students" nominated by principals for competencies such as leadership, collaboration and self-advocacy. The recognitions included students from Kyrene Del Cielo, Kyrene Monte Vista, Murata Leadership Academy and other district schools; recipients received certificates and tokens from local partners and joined board members for group photographs.

Nikki Johnson presented the district spelling-bee results, naming seventh-grader Josh Garcia (Pueblo) the district champion. Runner-ups mentioned included Laura Hoyt (Altadena Middle School) and Ismail/Ismael (Kyrene Akimel). Johnson said Joshand other qualifiers will compete at the Maricopa County regional spelling bee, which Kyrene will host Feb. 21.

During public comment, Kenora Hernandez, an English language development teacher and past KEA president, thanked the board for its community engagement during long-range planning and school-closure discussions. Hernandez said she appreciated the board's efforts and offered personal thanks for the support shown to staff.

Channing Chasten, executive director of the 1 percent Kid Foundation, described his organization's mission—soccer, literacy and mindset programs for youth—and said the foundation would like to bring interactive reading experiences, goal-setting workshops and camps to the Kyrene Elementary School District.

The meeting also included routine administrative items and concluded with the board setting its next regular meeting for Feb. 24 and adjourning at 6:54 p.m.