Laura Toenjes
Laura Toenjes | |
|---|---|
Photo of Laura Toenjes taken on October 28, 2025 at the Kyrene School District board meeting | |
| Title | Superintendent of the Kyrene School District |
Laura Toenjes is the superintendent of the Kyrene School District serving the Ahwatukee, south Tempe, and west Chandler communities in the state of Arizona.[1][2] She is responsible for the education of approximately 12,000 students located at 25 elementary and middle schools, and employs over 2,000 staff, teachers, and administrators.[3]
Toenjes has a three year contract until June 30, 2027 with a base annual salary of $220,000. She has been with the Kyrene school district since 2016 joining when Dr. Jan Vesely became superintendent. After Vesely announced retirement in October 2020, the school board immediately promoted Toenjes to the superintendent role. Her career has also included positions at Sunnyside Unified School District and Arizona Department of Education.[2]
Notable decisions
In February 2025, the Kyrene Governing Board created the Long Range Planning Committee. Toenjes was involved, and vetted 58 members of the committee.[4] As of October 1, 2025, the planning committee is recommending closing 9 out of 25 schools, with final school board decision scheduled for December 2025.[5]
In April 2025, Toenjes re-affirmed that the school district's "policies around equity, inclusion and social-emotional wellness—are fully compliant with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964." Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne threatened to withhold $1.5 million of federal funding per guidance from the United States Department of Education. The guidance was subsequently revoked, and district was properly funded.[6][7]
References
- ^ "Superintendent - Kyrene School District". www.kyrene.org. Retrieved 2025-10-03.
- ^ a b Staff, AFN News (2024-07-05). "Kyrene school board gives superintendent 3 more years". Ahwatukee Foothills News. Retrieved 2025-10-03.
- ^ "Talent Management - Kyrene School District". www.kyrene.org. Retrieved 2025-10-03.
- ^ Maryniak, Paul, ed. (2025-02-16). "Special Kyrene panel to begin its work". Ahwatukee Foothills News. Retrieved 2025-10-03.
- ^ Mintzer, Adam (2025-10-01). "Kyrene Elementary School District revises closure plan after community feedback". ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix (KNXV). Retrieved 2025-10-03.
- ^ Maryniak, Paul, ed. (2025-04-30). "Kyrene affirms federal DEI compliance, but controversy evaporates". Ahwatukee Foothills News. Retrieved 2025-10-03.
- ^ "Horne: Schools on notice as Kyrene will lose $1.5 million with vote to defy federal guidance". Arizona Department of Education. 2025-04-11. Retrieved 2025-10-03.