Arizona / School Districts / Kyrene Elementary District (4267)
The district plans centralized stops and a rolling middle-school stop model for 2026–27 and is launching an opt-in transportation program. Transportation director Michelle Parmley said the district still needs about 23 bus drivers and is working on communication and routing.
Arizona / School Districts / Kyrene Elementary District (4267)
A seventh-grade student and a parent thanked the Kyrene board for its handling of recent school-closure decisions and urged continued community involvement; speakers described the process as emotionally difficult and emphasized the importance of listening to families.
Arizona / School Districts / Kyrene Elementary District (4267)
The Kyrene Elementary District governing board voted unanimously to adopt the '4‑2' school‑closure and boundary model after hours of public comment and discussion of alternative models and estimated savings. The board framed the decision as legally necessary to help balance a budget shortfall while promising transition supports for students and staff.
Arizona / School Districts / Kyrene Elementary District (4267)
The Kyrene Elementary District presented transportation changes Dec. 9 including a pilot of rolling middle‑school stops, an opt‑in system for bus riders and purchase of non‑CDL 14‑passenger vans; staff said these changes should reduce the district’s driver need next year from 57 to roughly 45–55 depending on the model chosen.
Arizona / School Districts / Kyrene Elementary District (4267)
Superintendent Tenius presented three closure and boundary models Dec. 9 that would close between five and eight elementary schools (and possibly two middle schools) across the Kyrene district; board members debated criteria, equity and long‑term enrollment impacts and were reminded the earliest vote is Dec. 16.
Arizona / School Districts / Kyrene Elementary District (4267)
After administrators outlined enrollment projections and budget scenarios, the Kyrene School District governing board asked the superintendent to return with three map options — the current 6‑elementary/2‑middle proposal, a 5‑elementary/0‑middle option and a 4‑elementary/2‑middle option — and to apply objective criteria to the six elementary schools now slated for closure.
Arizona / School Districts / Kyrene Elementary District (4267)
At a Nov. 18 public hearing on proposed consolidations, students, parents, teachers and PTO leaders gave two-minute remarks urging the board to keep schools open—especially Mariposa and Manitas—ask for more data and consider a measured rollout instead of eight simultaneous closures.
Arizona / School Districts / Kyrene Elementary District (4267)
District leaders described staffing, enrollment, technology, facilities and transportation steps they would take if the board approves proposed school closures, and said a scenario tool with school-by-school cost estimates will be available for the Dec. 2 board discussion.
Arizona / School Districts / Kyrene Elementary District (4267)
At a Nov. 12 public hearing, Kyrene Elementary School District officials presented a revised long‑range plan proposing phased elementary and middle school closures and boundary changes; community members urged the board to include utilization in its criteria, model alternatives that keep schools open, and pause after year one to study impacts.
Arizona / School Districts / Kyrene Elementary District (4267)
Students, teachers and parents urged the Kyrene governing board at a Nov. 5 hearing to keep Pueblo Middle School open or delay closure so current cohorts can finish; speakers cited strong band and theater programs, GATE opportunities and specialized autism and IEP supports as rationale.