Baltimore County Inspector General Lacks Authority Over Public Schools as State Legislation Is Considered

Current oversight boundaries leave Baltimore County Public Schools outside the county inspector general’s jurisdiction

Baltimore County’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) does not currently have authority to investigate Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS), keeping the school system outside the county watchdog’s oversight unless state law changes.

The limitation is rooted in how local oversight powers are structured in Maryland: county inspectors general generally oversee county government operations, while public school systems are governed by boards of education operating under state law. As a result, even as Baltimore County funds the school system through local appropriations, the county OIG’s investigative reach does not automatically extend to BCPS.

State-level education inspector general already has jurisdiction over local school systems

Maryland maintains a separate statewide Office of the Inspector General for Education, which is authorized to examine and investigate the management and operations of county boards of education and local school systems, as well as other education entities that receive state funding. That state office’s mandate includes compliance-related reviews and investigations tied to education governance and operations.

Legislative effort aims to create a path for local oversight options

During the run-up to the 2026 Maryland legislative session, lawmakers introduced a proposal intended to allow Baltimore County to consider extending its inspector general’s oversight to BCPS. The legislation was framed as enabling: it would provide a legal pathway for the County Council to evaluate and potentially adopt an oversight model covering fraud, waste, and related concerns within the school system.

In public statements surrounding the bill’s introduction, sponsors described BCPS as one of the state’s largest districts and argued the scale of operations warrants an additional layer of independent review. The measure was presented as a way to let local elected officials compare oversight models used elsewhere and determine whether expanded authority is appropriate for Baltimore County.

County Council and school board actions reflect both support and conditions

In September 2025, the Baltimore County Council approved a resolution urging the General Assembly to pass enabling legislation. Subsequent school board proceedings show the Board of Education expressed support for legislation that could extend the county OIG’s jurisdiction, while outlining safeguards it said would be necessary before implementation.

• Limiting any local inspector general review to fraud, waste, abuse, and compliance matters
• Preserving the board’s authority over educational policy and instructional decisions
• Requiring adherence to confidentiality requirements, including federal student privacy protections
• Coordinating with internal audit functions to reduce duplication and administrative burden
• Developing a memorandum of understanding before any expanded oversight begins

The board’s position, as reflected in meeting records, treated the proposal as a layered oversight model—one that would add independent review while setting boundaries intended to protect student privacy, personnel protections, and governance roles.

What happens next

As of now, Baltimore County’s inspector general remains without authority over BCPS. Any change would require action in Annapolis, followed by local implementation steps—potentially including new county legislation and formal agreements governing access to records, investigative coordination, and confidentiality protections.