Governor’s communications director departing

Gov. Brian Sandoval’s communications director is leaving the administration for a new job.

Mary-Sarah Kinner announced her departure Thursday, effective Feb. 21.

She will become deputy national press secretary for StudentsFirst, an education reform group based in Sacramento, Calif., and founded by former Washington, D.C., public schools chancellor Michelle Rhee.

Kinner says education has always been one of her priorities and the opportunity to work with StudentsFirst was too great to pass up.

Kinner was Sandoval’s campaign spokeswoman during his 2010 campaign. She stayed on in his administration, serving as press secretary and then communications director.