2023 Kyrene Board President Kevin Walsh was re-elected as the board's 2024 president.
Courtesy Kyrene School District
At its Jan. 9 meeting, Kyrene School District Governing Board met for its first 2024 meeting, where the members elected their new president and vice president for the calendar year.
For the 2024 school year, the Kyrene School District Governing Board has selected standing board President Kevin Walsh to remain in his role, while Board Member Margaret Wright has been elected to board vice president.
On Jan. 9, the board members opened their first meeting of the new year with the election of the board president and vice president. Each year, the board internally elects these positions at the first calendar year meeting.
Kyrene’s governing board oversees 26 schools, serving students in Ahwatukee, Chandler, Tempe, Guadalupe and the Gila River Indian Reservation, as explained by a district release.
In its work, the board “is authorized under the laws of the state of Arizona to adopt all needed policies and regulations for the organization, and the board is responsible for the evaluation and governance of the district.”
While Walsh remains as president having been recommended by 2023 Vice President Michelle Fahy, the latter has been replaced by Wright, who was nominated by Board Member Trine Nelson.
“I think she’s done a great job and she’s very thoughtful around data and a lot of our new processes,” Nelson said at the meeting.
Fahy’s and Wright’s terms on the board will expire in December, along with Board Member Wanda Kolomyjec.
No other nominations were made for vice president, and following a vote between the five board members, Wright was elected to the position unanimously. Walsh was also re-elected with no members opposed to the motion.
During the regular meeting that followed, Superintendent Laura Toenjes highlighted that January is National School Board Recognition Month, thanking the board members for their diverse viewpoints and for collaborating cohesively in their goal of supporting district students, staff and schools.
“This is a moment when we pause to recognize the extraordinary commitment that you have made by volunteering to serve as a board member in Kyrene,” Toenjes said.
Aside from the superintendent’s praises, Kyrene’s board was also recently named one of the state’s top governing boards for their public relations contributions by the Arizona School Public Relations Association — an award given to only one school board annually.
Earning this award, the Kyrene School District Governing Board had to demonstrate a great understanding of public relations principles, leadership, high ideals of professionalism and the ability to work with its stakeholders for the benefit of students, Toenjes explained.
“This board is an exemplary model for other boards and highly deserving of this recognition, so congratulations on behalf of the district,” she said.
Reporter Caroline Yu can be reached at cyu@iniusa.org. To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
Meet Caroline Caroline Yu joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2020 as a summer intern covering Scottsdale. As an intern, she continued her coverage of Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Tempe. After graduating in 2022, Caroline became a full-time reporter for Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. She is currently reporting for the Tempe market.
Community: She is a supporter of the environment and tries to get involved with related community events.
Education: Arizona State University with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications, with a minor in French.
Random Fact: She used to be a ballet dancer for 10 years.
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“I think she’s done a great job and she’s very thoughtful around data and a lot of our new processes,” Nelson said at the meeting.
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