Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan last week proposed establishing the post of “investigator general” to root out what he described as corruption, mismanagement, and ineptitude in some of the state’s school districts.
In Hogan’s vision, the investigator would have subpoena power, the authority to summon people to public hearings, and a bully pulpit. The investigator would be an independent watchdog, appointed by a bipartisan political committee, and housed in the state education department. The state legislature would have to endorse the move.
The Republican pointed to allegations that Baltimore County’s top leaders failed to disclose they were paid contractors of a company awarded hundreds of millions in school technology contracts, as well as to a mold problem in Howard County schools, and to alleged grade-tampering in Prince George’s County.
