Kyrene Elementary School District, for the third year in a row, is the recipient of the prestigious Meritorious Budget Award (MBA) from the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) for fiscal year 2024-25. Kyrene remains the only district in Arizona to receive this recognition. Nationally, fewer than 150 districts earn the award each year. Kyrene is the first Arizona district to earn the award in more than a decade.
ASBO International’s MBA recognizes excellence in school budget policies, practices, and presentation. To qualify for the award, districts must develop a budget report that is comprehensive, analytical and demonstrates sound fiscal management. Kyrene has produced a comprehensive budget report for the last five years, and this is the third year the district submitted the report for an award.
“I am exceptionally proud of Kyrene’s Finance team for their dedication and the care they apply daily to their work,” Kyrene Superintendent Laura Toenjes said. “This report is more than just numbers; it illustrates how Kyrene’s resources are aligned with the Kyrene Promise to provide educational outcomes that educate future leaders, creators and community contributors.”
Kyrene’s Annual Budget Report has become a critical communications tool for the district, providing stakeholders a detailed accounting of Kyrene finances. This transparency has helped the district secure voter approval for its bond and capital overrides in recent years.
“As a District, Kyrene takes our responsibility to taxpayers very seriously,” said Kyrene Chief Financial Officer and Associate Superintendent Chris Herrmann. “For this report to receive national recognition for the third straight year is a testament to Kyrene’s budgeting practices and our dedication to transparency and accountability to our community.”