About Kevin Walsh
Business Attorney. Education Non-Profit Chairman. School Board Member.
A Kyrene Parent Through and Through
Kevin Walsh is a business attorney and the Chairman of JAG Arizona, a non-profit that has provided resources to engage disconnected students and facilitate academic improvements in Arizona for over 40 years. He earned his B.A. from the University of Notre Dame, his J.D. from Villanova University School of Law, and his M.B.A. from Villanova University.
Kevin has been a proud Kyrene parent since his oldest child started kindergarten over a decade ago. His youngest is just 7 months old and won't graduate from Kyrene until 2040 — which means his family's future is tied to this district for the long haul. His kids come from a family of educators. Both of their grandmothers were public school teachers in Arizona — one right here in Kyrene — with a combined 50 years in the classroom. That legacy shapes how Kevin approaches every decision on the Board.
Kevin decided to run for the Kyrene Governing Board eight years ago because he kept hearing from teachers who felt like no one was listening. He understood why. Being a public school teacher in Arizona is hard. The pay doesn't match the work, and too often teachers are treated like the problem instead of the solution. He was there with educators during Red4Ed because he believed in what they were fighting for. He ran to change things — and he's running again because there's still more to do.
For the entirety of his board service, Kevin has been an associate member of the Arizona Education Association, because he knows that supporting educators is how we deliver the best outcomes for students. He has advocated for teachers at the Arizona Legislature and the Department of Education — showing up at hearings, testifying, and pushing back when educators were under attack.
As Board President, Kevin has approved every Meet and Confer recommendation during his eight years on the Board — a track record that reflects his unwavering commitment to respecting and collaborating with educators. He believes policy should be developed with teachers, not handed down from above, and that educators have earned the right to be trusted with their classrooms.
Rooted in This Community
JAG Arizona
Chairman of JAG Arizona, a non-profit that has provided resources to engage disconnected students and facilitate academic improvements in Arizona for over 40 years.
Phoenix One Foundation
Board member of Phoenix One Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing students with technology, sports, and arts programs.
Junior Achievement & Kiwanis
Active Kiwanis member and volunteer classroom instructor for Junior Achievement, working directly with students to build real-world skills.
Kyrene Community Involvement
PTO board trustee, regular Art Masterpiece classroom volunteer, active member of the Kyrene Business Alliance, and frequent contributor to the Kyrene Family Resource Center.
What Kevin Has Accomplished
First-ever DEI and Wellness Policies
Kevin helped adopt Kyrene's first-ever policies celebrating the district's commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and supporting the social and emotional needs of students and staff — not because it was politically convenient, but because it was right for kids.
$6.65 Million in Educator Raises
After making the difficult decision to consolidate schools, Kevin ensured the resulting cost savings went directly back into education — $6.65 million in compensation raises for teachers and staff.
Portrait of a Kyrene Kid
As Board President, Kevin championed the "Portrait of a Kyrene Kid" — a community-built vision of the skills, traits, and competencies every student should exemplify by 8th grade, including critical thinker, community contributor, and self-advocate. Kevin believes student achievement must be defined by holistic growth, not just test scores.
Counselors in Every School
When Kevin joined the Board, Kyrene had zero counselors in elementary schools. Today, every school has one. When Arizona slashed counselor funding this summer, Kevin worked with the district to keep a counselor at every school.
Defeating State Overreach
When State Superintendent Tom Horne threatened to withhold $1.5 million in funding over Kyrene's DEI and wellness policies, Kevin went toe-to-toe with his office, held the ground, and won.
Three Consecutive Early Release Days for Teachers
Working with KEA, Kevin secured three consecutive early release days during parent-teacher conferences — so teachers aren't stretched thin trying to meet with families while also running full teaching loads. When educators are listened to, everyone gets better results.
Consistent Support for Meet and Confer
As Board President, Kevin has approved every Meet and Confer recommendation during his eight years on the Board — a track record that reflects his unwavering commitment to respecting and collaborating with educators.
Fighting for Public Education at the Capitol
Kevin has shown up at the Arizona Legislature and the Department of Education — testifying, advocating, and pushing back when educators were under attack. He has been an associate member of the Arizona Education Association for his entire time on the Board, because he knows a strong teachers union is the foundation for strong public schools.
School Safety Leadership
Kevin has championed Kyrene's advanced school safety measures — including controlled campus access, video monitoring, and law enforcement partnerships — and supports ongoing efforts to eliminate bullying, strengthen mental health supports, and identify early warning signs. He supports School Resource Officers on middle school campuses, where they work alongside counselors and social workers to build positive relationships with students.
"In Kyrene, we know that students must be at the center of all decisions. Too often, school board meetings devolve into chaos and politicking, and districts become paralyzed by dysfunctional leadership. In the end, it's the students who lose. The best way to bring our community together is to prioritize our students and their achievement — and that's exactly what I've spent 8 years doing."