Inspector General Seeks Increased Staffing as Complaints and Findings Rise

Richard Henry, Maryland Inspector General for Education, told the House Education & Economic Development Subcommittee on Feb. 3 that his office's fiscal 2027 allowance supports increased personnel to keep pace with a surge in complaints and investigative workload. The Department of Legislative Services (DLS) recommended concurrence with the governor's proposed $2.9 million allowance, an increase DLS said is driven primarily by a $292,000 rise in regular personnel costs.

Henry said complaints to his office have risen more than 1,300% since the office's 2020 inception and were 43% higher in 2025 than the prior year. He told the committee his office identified nearly $12 million in financial mismanagement last year and has found more than $100 million in mismanagement since 2020. "We want to ensure education money is handled and spent correctly," Henry said, describing work to date and offering to answer follow‑up questions.

DLS's analysis showed salaries and fringe benefits account for roughly $2.7 million of the agency's $2.9 million allowance (about 93% of total spending). DLS also noted that in calendar 2025 the office opened 11 investigations and closed five, a closure rate of 45%, and recommended the agency comment on factors contributing to that decline in closure rate and on the backlog of open investigations.

Henry reviewed three matters highlighted in the DLS analysis. In a Somerset County Board of Education matter, his office found procurement practices outside the scope of accepted state and local requirements; the State Board of Education later ruled in the office's favor and recommended procurement training for some board members. In two Prince George's County cases, Henry said his office found instances of grade changes and recordkeeping practices that included grades assigned without instructional contact; he said the new local superintendent and executive team were notified and a response was expected.

Committee members asked about the types of complaints the office receives. Henry said the caseload includes allegations ranging from ethics violations and misspending to grade manipulation, construction fraud and special education concerns. He emphasized that the office is complaint‑driven rather than an audit unit, works with local school counsel and MSDE during investigations, and provides complainants with a point of contact and follow‑up even when a matter does not rise to a formal investigation.

The hearing closed with the committee thanking Henry and his staff. DLS and Henry agreed to provide updates on outstanding recommendations, the status of the Prince George's matters and the current inventory of open investigations.