Press Release  Governor Healey Appoints Leaders in Western MA K-12 Education, Universal Pre-k to Foundation Budget Review Commission

BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey has appointed Kristen Smidy and Amy O’Leary to the Foundation Budget Review Commission. The fiscal year 2027 budget reconvenes this Commission to review the Chapter 70 formula and strengthen Pre-K-12 school financing.   

Smidy is a former teacher, principal and superintendent with nearly 20 years of experience as an educator in Western Massachusetts. O’Leary brings more than two decades of experience as a preschool teacher, early education program director and nationally recognized leader in early childhood education.  

 “Since taking office, we’ve doubled K-12 funding and significantly increased rural school, transportation and special education funding. Now, we’re taking a fresh look at the school funding formula to make sure it is meeting the needs of students and communities today,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Kristen Smidy understands firsthand the challenges facing schools in Western Massachusetts, and Amy O’Leary has spent her career expanding opportunities for our youngest learners. Their experience will be invaluable as we work to make sure every student in Massachusetts has access to a great education.”  

“Every community has different needs when it comes to supporting its schools, and those differences need to be reflected in how we approach education funding,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Kristen and Amy bring decades of experience working directly with students, educators, families and communities. Their perspectives will help us make sure this review reflects what schools are actually experiencing on the ground, from Western Massachusetts to communities across the state.”  

“As a former superintendent, I know firsthand how important the school funding formula is to the decisions districts make every day on behalf of their students and educators,” said Education Secretary Steve Zrike. “Kristen and Amy bring deep experience from across our education system and understand how decisions about funding translate into classrooms and programs. I look forward to working alongside them as we take a thoughtful look at how the formula can best support our schools and early education mixed delivery system.”  

Smidy currently serves on the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education as an appointee of Governor Healey. She currently serves as the Associate Director for Accreditation and School Improvement on the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Commission on Public Schools after almost five years as superintendent for the Gateway Regional School District in Huntington, Massachusetts. She previously served as the principal of Hampshire Regional High School and began her career as a 6^th and 7^th grade social studies teacher at Duggan Middle School in Springfield. Smidy has served on the Legislative Committee for the Massachusetts School Superintendents, the Connecticut Valley Superintendent Roundtable Executive Board, and the Massachusetts Inclusive Higher Education task force.  

“I’m looking forward to working with the Commission and bringing my experiencing managing rural school budgets to the table. This is a long-awaited opportunity to take a hard look at where the formula works, where it doesn’t, and work together to build something that actually makes sense for communities across the Commonwealth,” said Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Member Kristen Smidy.  

O'Leary is the Executive Director of Strategies for Children, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit organization that leads the way towards meaningful change in early childhood systems across Massachusetts. She has held numerous leadership roles, including Director of the Early Education for All Campaign and is the host of The 9:30 Call, a daily statewide gathering that connects and informs the early childhood community. O’Leary also serves on the Advisory Council on Early Education and Care and the Early Education and Care Workforce Council. Before joining Strategies for Children, she worked as a preschool teacher and program director at Ellis Early Learning in Boston's South End. O'Leary was elected twice to the Governing Board of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.  

“I grateful to Governor Healey and honored to serve on the Foundation Budget Review Commission and contribute to a conversation that is fundamental to the future of education in Massachusetts. The Healey-Driscoll Administration’s continued focus on innovative ways of breaking down silos and strengthening connections and partnerships across the education continuum will ensure that our approach to education funding reflects the real costs of providing high-quality learning and support for children, families, educators, and schools. I look forward to bringing an early childhood perspective and my experience to this work and to collaborating with colleagues across education, government, business, and local communities to ensure that the foundation budget reflects what it truly takes to provide every child with the opportunity to thrive—from the earliest years through graduation,” said Amy O’Leary.  

The Healey-Driscoll administration’s members on the Commission include Secretary of Education Steve Zrike, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez, Commissioner of Early Education and Care Amy Kershaw, Assistant Secretary for Budget Christopher Marino, Department of Revenue’s Division of Local Services Senior Deputy Commissioner Sean Cronin and Director of Rural Affairs Anne Gobi.  

Statements of Support 

Jessica Tang, President, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts: 

“Kristen Smidy is a dedicated advocate for students, families, and educators across Massachusetts and is a thoughtful appointment to the Foundation Budget Review Commission. As a former educator and administrator, she not only has strong connections to our public school system, she also has a deep understanding of the unique needs of rural and high-needs districts. We look forward to working with and supporting the Commission’s work to ensure our public education funding is equitable and reflects the true cost of ensuring every student in our Commonwealth gets the high-quality public school education they deserve."  

JD Chesloff, President & CEO, Massachusetts Business Roundtable: 

“The Massachusetts Business Roundtable has long championed high-quality early education as essential to supporting working families, strengthening our talent pipeline, and keeping Massachusetts competitive. We also know that it is an essential component of the state’s education continuum. Having Amy O’Leary’s voice, expertise and perspective will be invaluable as the Commission considers the future of education funding in the Commonwealth. The Roundtable is pleased to serve on the Commission and looks forward to working with Amy, Kristen, and the other Commissioners as we take on the important work of examining how we fund education across the Commonwealth.”

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