3rd Annual CSFP Conference: Traveling the Fiscal Pathway to 2024

Marc Carey is the Chief School Finance Officer on the economics team of the Colorado General Assembly’s Legislative Council Staff.  He is responsible for maintaining a district-level model of K12 education funding and running policy simulations for the General Assembly.  Marc also works closely with the General Assembly’s Joint Budget Committee staff and the Colorado Department of Education to coordinate education funding.  The 2023 legislative session is Marc’s 20^th working for Legislative Council Staff.  Prior to specializing in education finance, Marc forecasted a variety of revenue streams, including Severance Tax and Federal Mineral Lease revenue.  Marc also has written fiscal notes on a variety of taxation-related policy areas.  Marc has a PhD in Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics from the University of California, Davis.

Anna Gerstle is a Senior Fiscal Analyst at Legislative Council Staff. She has been at LCS for about 8 years, working on the fiscal note and school finance teams. She focuses on education, including K-12, higher education, and school finance, as well as property tax and some business-related issues. She graduated from the University of Oregon and University of Colorado-Denver.

Mr. Hart began serving as the District’s Chief Business Officer in January 2020. Before coming to the District, Mr. Hart served as the Chief Financial Officer of the Cherry Creek School District for approximately three years – the last 18 months of which he also served as Cherry Creek’s Chief Operating Officer. Before joining Cherry Creek, Mr. Hart was a Director at The PFM Group for nearly two years and a Senior Vice President in Public Finance at D.A. Davidson & Co. for approximately a year. Prior to that time, Mr. Hart served as the Chief Financial Officer for Denver Public Schools for four years and as Chief Financial Officer of the Douglas County School District for three years. He has also served as Manager of Revenue for the City and County of Denver, as Treasurer for the City and County of Denver and as Budget Director for the Douglas County School District. Mr. Hart attended the University of Colorado at Denver, where he received his Master of Public Administration: Policy Analysis and Evaluation.

Dr. Wendy Birhanzel is honored to be Colorado's 2023 Superintendent of the Year and to serve as the Superintendent of Harrison School District 2 and a parent of a Sierra High School graduate. She has served more than 20 years in public education throughout California and Colorado. She earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership in Urban School Settings from the University of Southern California. Her passion is ensuring a high-quality education experience for every student and opening doors to opportunities and success. In her work, she advocates for necessary school funding and bringing a voice to students and staff.

As a Principal, Dr. Birhanzel led two schools to be honored with National Blue Ribbon Awards and named National Title I Distinguished Schools. Moving into her role as Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Officer, she helped create programming to allow all students to access a rigorous curriculum. Dr. Birhanzel was awarded the Mayor's Young Leader Award from the city and the Young Alumni Achievement Award from her college for her educational impact.

As Superintendent, Dr. Birhanzel works collaboratively with staff to offer students an excellent academic experience and opportunities such as free college, free technology, free athletics and activities, free before and after school care, complimentary breakfast and lunch, and free tutoring. Under her leadership, the district passed a $180 million bond to cover 20 building renovations and three new schools. She has also partnered with the community to ensure wrap-around supports such as mental health care, food security, and housing are provided for all families. Her passion is supporting the whole child and family in the community. The district was named the best educational workplace during her tenure and has had the highest staff retention rates in over 16 years.