Kyrene School District Keeps Employee Benefit Costs Steady

District approves benefit plan with no increases to employee contributions for second year in a row.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The Kyrene Elementary School District governing board recently approved the district's benefit plan for the 2026-27 school year, which includes no increases to employee contribution costs for health plans for over five years. The plan also provides mental health resources for all employees, not just those covered by a plan.

Why it matters

Maintaining steady employee benefit costs is crucial for retaining and supporting school district staff, especially during times of economic uncertainty. Kyrene's ability to hold the line on costs while expanding mental health support demonstrates its commitment to employee wellbeing.

The details

The approved benefit plan includes a stagnant employee contribution cost for health plans since the 2020-21 school year. All Kyrene employees can also meet with a mental health professional seven times per year at no cost. While one plan required an increase to the family deductible, the district recommended increasing the Health Savings Account match for employees to offset this change.

  • The governing board approved the 2026-27 benefit plan changes on February 14, 2026.
  • Open enrollment for the new benefits begins on April 13, 2026 for coverage starting July 1, 2026.

The players

Triné Nelson

Governing board president for the Kyrene Elementary School District.

Lisa Gibson

Assistant superintendent for the Kyrene Elementary School District.

Kevin Walsh

Governing board member for the Kyrene Elementary School District.

Amy Satre

Vice president of the governing board for the Kyrene Elementary School District, who abstained from the vote due to a professional conflict of interest.

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What they’re saying

“For our employees, this is really going above and beyond.”

— Triné Nelson, Governing board president (yourvalley.net)

“This is a sweet spot as it allows us to keep offering quality benefit plans while maintaining costs to provide benefits for the district.”

— Lisa Gibson, Assistant superintendent (yourvalley.net)

“The fact that you and your team have been able to turn this around and make it a staple program for the past few years, thank you so much for that.”

— Kevin Walsh, Governing board member (yourvalley.net)

What’s next

Open enrollment for the new benefit plans begins on April 13, 2026 for coverage starting July 1, 2026.

The takeaway

Kyrene's ability to maintain steady employee benefit costs while expanding mental health support demonstrates its commitment to retaining and supporting its staff, even in challenging economic times.