District News

Kyrene Elementary School District has once again been recognized with multiple awards for excellence in financial reporting from national and international organizations. The Kyrene Finance team has been awarded the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement (COA) for Excellence in Financial Reporting, and the Certificate of Excellence (COE) in Financial Reporting from the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) International. Kyrene has received both awards for the last 30 plus years consecutively.

The Certificate of Achievement and Certificate of Excellence programs are the highest forms of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting. Each award honors school districts for high-quality Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports (ACFR). Receiving these recognitions for three decades in a row represents a significant accomplishment by the Kyrene Finance team and the District.

“We are proud to have a long-standing history of clear financial reporting,” said Kyrene Chief Financial Officer and Associate Superintendent Chris Herrmann. “These awards and Kyrene’s track record of earning them is a testament to our commitment to our community members to be transparent in how we spend every dollar we receive. I congratulate our Finance team, led by Director Brian Lockery, on their tireless dedication to this work.”

Kyrene received both awards in recognition of its comprehensive annual financial report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2025. Both awards are judged rigorously by an impartial panel of financial professionals who determined the Kyrene report and district met each program’s high standards.

“I am incredibly proud of the Kyrene Finance team’s consistent hard work and commitment to financial transparency and accountability,” said Kyrene Superintendent Laura Toenjes. “Receiving these recognitions consistently for the past 30 years reflects the high standards we uphold in managing our district’s resources.”

The Kyrene Finance team is led by Associate Superintendent and Chief Financial Officer Chris Herrmann and Finance Director Brian Lockery. Kyrene’s Finance department is responsible for Accounting, Purchasing, Payroll, Financial Reporting, Budget Control, Food Services, National School Breakfast and Lunch Program, Medicaid, Property Control and Auditing functions for the Kyrene School District.