Christina Coughlin was named the interim director of pupil transportation services for New York state, while the Department of Education selects a full-time successor to the late Mary Sansaricq.
Sansaricq passed away earlier this month following complications from emergency gall bladder surgery.
A Department of Education spokesman confirmed that Coughlin, the agency’s assistant commissioner of school governance, policy and religious and independent schools, has assumed the responsibilities of overseeing the state’s school transportation budgeting, reimbursement as well as training of school bus drivers and attendants.
Related: NY Mourns Passing of State Director Sansaricq
Coughlin is not a new name to the industry, as she came to the Department of Education four years ago from the New York Division of Budget, where she worked for 12 years, ending with the title of associate budget examiner. Her responsibilities there included budgeting for transportation, federal No Child Left Behind programs, competitive grant programs, employee pensions and other benefits, and universal pre-kindergarten.
She joined the Department of Education in February 2013 as a coordinator of educational management services. She worked closely with Sansaricq in the Office of Pupil Transportation as well as with regional education service providers on implementing shared services, administering grant programs, and providing analysis and policy advice to the Board of Regents for the allocation of $22 billion in state aid to public schools.
Coughlin holds a doctorate of philosophy as well as a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Chicago. She graduated from Williams College with a bachelor’s degree in economics.
