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

School Closures

In late 2024 and throughout 2025, Superintendent Laura Toenjes led the Kyrene School District through a significant restructuring process in response to a decade-long decline in student enrollment. In February 2025, the Kyrene Governing Board created the Long Range Planning Committee. Toenjes was involved, and vetted 58 members of the committee. ^[4]

Facing a "new reality" where the district was built for 20,000 students but served only 12,000, Toenjes advocated for a "right-sizing" plan to ensure the district's long-term financial solvency and the preservation of educational programs. Following months of public forums and committee meetings, the Governing Board voted on December 16, 2025, to close six schools by 2028: Kyrene de la Colina, Kyrene de la Estrella, Kyrene de las Manitas, Kyrene Traditional Academy, Akimel A-al Middle School, and Pueblo Middle School. ^{[5] [6]}

Toenjes was the primary spokesperson for the initiative, often acknowledging the emotional toll the decision took on the community while maintaining that inaction would be fiscally irresponsible. Following the final vote, she described the move as "what may be the most significant action in our district's history, in order to preserve the Kyrene experience now and for generations to come". ^[7] Throughout the process, she emphasized that the consolidation would allow the district to reinvest savings into teacher salaries and specialized programs. Addressing the transition for affected families, Toenjes stated, "Our current Kyrene kids will be our priority in all of our transition," and pledged that the district would "take great care to ensure our students and our staff feel supported every step of the way". ^{[5] [8]}

Equity and Inclusion

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. ^{[9] [10]}

References

1. "Superintendent - Kyrene School District". www.kyrene.org. Retrieved 2025-10-03.
2. Staff, AFN News (2024-07-05). "Kyrene school board gives superintendent 3 more years". Ahwatukee Foothills News. Retrieved 2025-10-03.
3. "Talent Management - Kyrene School District". www.kyrene.org. Retrieved 2025-10-03.
4. Maryniak, Paul, ed. (2025-02-16). "Special Kyrene panel to begin its work". Ahwatukee Foothills News. Retrieved 2025-10-03.
5. Baker, David; Staahl, Derek; Prelutsky, Zach (2025-12-17). "Kyrene School District votes to shut down six schools due to low enrollment". https://www.azfamily.com . Retrieved 2025-12-21.{{cite web}}: External link in |website= (help)
6. Trevino, Erick. "Kyrene School District to close 6 schools by 2027-28 school year". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2025-12-21.
7. Tanzer, Shira (2025-12-16). "Kyrene School District board votes to close 6 schools". KTAR.com. Retrieved 2025-12-21.
8. Staff, Abc15 com (2025-12-16). "Four elementary and two middle schools to close in Kyrene Elementary School District". ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix (KNXV). Retrieved 2025-12-21.
9. Maryniak, Paul, ed. (2025-04-30). "Kyrene affirms federal DEI compliance, but controversy evaporates". Ahwatukee Foothills News. Retrieved 2025-10-03.
10. "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.