Press Release: Kristy Michel Named MSDE's Chief Operating Officer

Monica Kearns To Join Staff As Assistant Superintendent For Business Services

For Immediate Release                                                      Contact: Bill Reinhard, 410-767-0486


Baltimore, MD (February 7, 2014)

The Maryland State Department of Education has added two top budget experts to its staff.

Kristy L. Michel, former Assistant Director for Fiscal Planning with the Maryland Department of Budget and Management, takes over as Chief Operating Officer.  She replaces long-time COO Steve Brooks, who has retired. 

Monica L. Kearns, former fiscal research analyst for the City of Baltimore’s Bureau of Budget and Management, has been named Assistant State Superintendent of Business Services.

“Kristy Michel and Monica Kearns bring rare experience and a passion for education to their new roles here at MSDE,” said State Superintendent of Schools Lillian M. Lowery.  “We are so fortunate to have these two leaders join our team in such critical positions.” 

Ms. Michel has been with the Maryland Department of Budget and Management (DBM) since 2007, moving from Budget Policy Analyst to Supervising Budget Examiner to Assistant Director for Financial Planning.  She has assisted in strategic planning for Governor O’Malley’s annual budget and managed fiscal planning activities.  In her earlier role with DBM, Ms. Michel provided technical expertise on aid to K-12 education and other areas.

Prior to joining DBM, she served as Assistant Director of the Center for Policy Research at the University of Albany.  A graduate of Bucknell University, Ms. Michel holds a master’s degree in education policy from the University of Albany. 

Ms. Kearns has been with the City of Baltimore since 2012, having joined the staff after spending a year with the Baltimore City Public Schools as a Data Specialist.  Prior to joining the Baltimore City Schools, she spent eight years as a Budget and Policy Analyst with the Maryland General Assembly’s Department of Legislative Services.  Among her assignment areas was the Maryland State Department of Education.

Ms. Kearns is a graduate of the University of Denver, and holds a master’s degree in international public policy from that institution.

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