(WBFF) — A call for more oversight of Baltimore County Public Schools hit a roadblock in Annapolis after the county’s state Senate delegation split evenly on whether to back the proposal.
Del. Ryan Nawrocki introduced legislation that would give the Baltimore County inspector general oversight of the county school district. Nawrocki said he believes the school system needs an added layer of accountability because “half of Baltimore County’s budget goes to fund the school district.”
“I can’t wrap my head around why someone would not want to be for more transparency and accountability in government,” Nawrocki said.
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Nawrocki argued the spending and outcomes warrant closer scrutiny. “We’re spending a lot of money on failing test scores and continuing declining test scores so we need to get to the bottom of how that money is being spent,” he said.
The bill earned support from the teacher’s union and the NAACP, but it did not win support from Baltimore County’s delegation of eight state senators. The delegation vote ended in a 4-4 tie, meaning it did not reach a majority and voted not to support the bill.
Sen. Johnny Ray Salling, Sen. J. B. Jennings, Sen. Carl Jackson and Sen. Chris West supported the measure. Sen. Shelly Hettleman, Sen. Charles Sydnor, Sen. Benjamin Brooks and Sen. Mary Washington voted against it.
“I think we deserve answers from those who voted against this legislation as to why they voted against this legislation,” Nawrocki said.
Baltimore County estimated it could cost up to $1 million to hire new investigators within the inspector general’s office to comply with the measure. The proposal also raised questions about whether the county should investigate the school district. At a House hearing last month, one delegate questioned whether the bill would put a county agency in a position of overseeing a state agency, noting that the school board is a state agency.
“Yes Mr. Chair,” Nawrocki replied.
The Senate delegation’s vote stalls the measure in the Senate for now. The House delegation is set to vote on the bill on Friday, a decision described as critical to determining the bill’s fate.
“I’ve yet to come across a single voter that doesn’t think this is a good idea,” Nawrocki said.
