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Delegation hears testimony for HB 89 to let Baltimore County inspector general oversee public schools
Summary
Delegate Ryan Niraki sponsored HB 89 to authorize the Baltimore County Council to grant the county inspector general authority to oversee Baltimore County Public Schools. Witnesses from unions, the League of Women Voters, the state and local inspectors general urged support, while delegates sought clarifications about cost, guardrails and interagency coordination.
Delegate Ryan Niraki asked the Baltimore County House of Delegates delegation for a favorable report on House Bill 89, saying the bill would allow the County Council to expand the Baltimore County Office of the Inspector General’s jurisdiction to include Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS).
"This bill would simply enable Baltimore County to expand the office of the inspector general as they requested," Niraki said, adding that the legislation provides tools, not mandates, and leaves the final decision and budgetary choices to the county council.
Why it matters: BCPS accounts for roughly half of Baltimore County’s budget. Niraki and multiple witnesses framed the measure as a transparency and accountability tool — not an immediate transfer of authority — that could identify waste, fraud and abuse and make investigations public.
Supporters who testified included Councilman David Marks (sponsor of the county resolution requesting authorization), representatives of educators and parents, the Baltimore City inspector general and Maryland’s state inspector general for education. Maggie…
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