During a recent meeting of the Maryland Legislature's EBA Committee, significant concerns were raised regarding the Maryland School for the Deaf (MSD) and its procurement practices, as highlighted by a January 2024 audit from the Office of Legislative Audits (OLA). The audit identified four critical issues that require immediate attention, including a repeat finding related to the procurement of sign language interpreters.

The OLA's findings revealed that MSD did not consistently adhere to state procurement regulations. Specific violations included failing to secure necessary approvals from the Department of General Services and the Board of Public Works for contracts, neglecting to publish contract awards on the eMaryland Marketplace Advantage, and improperly splitting purchases into smaller transactions to bypass competitive procurement requirements. These practices raise serious questions about transparency and accountability in MSD's financial operations.

In response to the audit, MSD has initiated several corrective measures. The school is mandating procurement staff to undergo training from the Office of State Procurement, enhancing oversight of contract monitoring, and revising agreements with affiliate organizations to ensure compliance with purchasing regulations. The Department of Legislative Services (DLS) has recommended that funding be restricted until MSD provides a comprehensive report addressing these procurement issues.

Another critical topic discussed was the kindergarten readiness assessment (KRA) scores for MSD students. The data indicates a troubling trend: kindergarteners entering MSD have not regained pre-pandemic achievement levels. Prior to COVID-19, students scored above 40% in mathematics and physical well-being, but by fiscal year 2023, scores plummeted to 30% or below across all areas tested, particularly in language and literacy, which saw a drop from 10% to 5% in the past year alone.

DLS has urged MSD to analyze the reasons behind these declining KRA scores and has recommended that the committee include a narrative report on this issue. The discussions during the meeting underscore the urgent need for MSD to address both its procurement practices and the educational challenges facing its students.

As the committee concluded its session, the implications of these findings were clear: MSD must take decisive action to rectify its procurement issues and improve educational outcomes for its students. The next steps will involve ongoing monitoring and reporting to ensure compliance and accountability in both areas.