Elenee Dao

Phoenix

Reporter at KNXV-TV (Phoenix, AZ)

@ABC15 reporter | Previous: @KXLY4news & @KMVTNews | @Cronkite_ASU alumna

Articles

Mesa Public Schools embracing smaller campuses despite declining enrollment

1 week ago | abc15.com | Elenee Dao

MESA, AZ — As public school districts continue to try and figure out how to deal with declining enrollment, the state’s largest district, Mesa Public Schools, is taking a different approach with its smaller campuses. In the 5th grade class at Lehi Elementary, about 45 students are being taught by three staff members, two teachers and a teaching assistant. In the portable out back behind the main building, there are two walls that can open up with a sliding door or wood panels.
Families, educators adjust to school closures a year later in Paradise Valley

1 week ago | abc15.com | Elenee Dao

Once May hits, many districts are hitting the final stretch of the school year. For some communities, they will see some big shakeups once this academic year ends. Three Valley school district governing boards – Roosevelt Elementary School District, Phoenix Elementary School District and Cave Creek Unified School District – voted to close down a few campuses each by the end of the year.
Trump's First 100 Days: A look at the administration's impact on education

2 weeks ago | abc15.com | Elenee Dao

In President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office, a lot has already taken place. One big promise he told voters was to get rid of the U.S. Department of Education. Since taking office, President Trump and his Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, quickly cut half the number of staff members. In a visit to Arizona on Friday, April 25, McMahon said that funding will not be cut off for the programs they administer and that they want to move the education department’s duties to other agencies.
Parents, students speak on ESA draft handbook, CTE funding

2 weeks ago | abc15.com | Elenee Dao

In a packed meeting on Monday morning, the Arizona State Board of Education heard from angry parents about the draft handbook for the Empowerment Scholarship Accounts program. Superintendent Tom Horne asked the board to push back the possible vote for the handbook after receiving feedback from lawmakers, wanting to sit down and meet with them after parents reached out to legislators with concerns.
Phoenix Elementary board president resigns after contentious public meeting

2 weeks ago | abc15.com | Elenee Dao

PHOENIX — After weeks of criticism from families and community members, Phoenix Elementary School Board President Jessica Bueno resigned at the Tuesday night board meeting. According to areport by the Phoenix New Times, Bueno bailed out Randall Denton, who was recently sentenced to a year in prison for child sex crimes, believing he was in contact with a 14-year-old. Denton was the owner of Xanadu Coffee and had ties with Bueno in the past.
Realtors see more Canadians selling their homes in Arizona

3 weeks ago | kgun9.com | Elenee Dao

PHOENIX — More Canadians are selling their second homes, or are inquiring about selling their homes, according to the president of the Arizona Association of Realtors. For more than a decade, Garry and Liz Liboiron had their second home in the Phoenix area. They drive down from Ontario, Canada every fall and leave in the spring. But now, that home is on the market, sooner than Garry and Liz had wanted.
Realtors see more Canadians selling their homes in Arizona

3 weeks ago | abc15.com | Elenee Dao

PHOENIX — More Canadians are selling their second homes, or are inquiring about selling their homes, according to the president of the Arizona Association of Realtors. For more than a decade, Garry and Liz Liboiron had their second home in the East Valley. They drive down from Ontario, Canada every fall and leave in the spring. But now, that home is on the market, sooner than Garry and Liz had wanted.
HVAC companies see higher demand, awaiting possible tariff impacts

1 month ago | abc15.com | Elenee Dao

With the record heat in April and triple-digit heat, air conditioning companies are seeing demand they’d usually see in a few more weeks. “It just a complete rush, homeowners trying to get in for that springtime maintenance to get prepared for what's coming because we know that 115 and above is on the horizon,” said Xavier Tobin of Xavier’s Air Conditioning and heating services.
Partnership to improve youth mental health sees success through Arizona pilot program

1 month ago | abc15.com | Elenee Dao

The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Valley is seeing success in its mental health program, aimed at addressing the needs of underrepresented communities and kids after the negative impacts from the pandemic. “The Whole Child Approach” pilot program started in Maricopa and Pinal counties in 2022 as a partnership with Terros Health.
WATCH: Higley Unified helps students prepare for independent employment

1 month ago | abc15.com | Elenee Dao

The Higley Unified School District is making sure all of its students are prepared for the real world, one trip to the farm at a time. Special education students can take part in the Higley Transition and Access Program, a year-long program that helps teach valuable skills for independent employment in a variety of settings. One of the district's program partners is Aimee's Farm Animal Sanctuary, a non-profit organization in San Tan Valley.