The following article has been submitted by District 7 state Senator J.B. Jennings about his emergency legislation to ensure Maryland county school boards cannot approve multi-year superintendent contracts without current financial audit information.
Senator J.B. Jennings has introduced emergency legislation to ensure Maryland county school boards cannot approve multi-year superintendent contracts without
current financial audit information.
Senate Bill 999 – County Boards of Education – Reappointments of County Superintendents of
Schools – Audit Requirement (Local School System Fiscal Accountability Act) addresses what Jennings calls a “major transparency gap” between the state’s audit schedule and the timeline for superintendent contract decisions.
In Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS), the most recent audit conducted by the Maryland
Office of Legislative Audits (OLA) was completed in 2020. Without updated findings, the Baltimore County Board of Education could have been required to vote on a new four-year superintendent contract in March 2027 using financial information that could be seven years old.
“Taxpayers deserve transparency when decisions involving billions of public dollars are being
made,” Jennings said.
“No school board should be expected to approve a multi-year leadership contract without a current, independent review of the school system’s finances.”
Under the legislation, if the state audit is not completed before a superintendent contract decision
is scheduled, the local board of education would be required to commission an independent
third-party performance audit.
The audit results must be presented publicly before any contract vote.
The bill is designated as emergency legislation so the policy would take effect immediately upon passage.
Since the drafting of the legislation began, BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers has announced plans to retire effective June 2026, one year before the scheduled end of her contract.
Jennings said recent developments in another Maryland school system highlight why timely audits are critical.
A February 2026 audit of Worcester County Public Schools identified several financial oversight concerns and referred questionable procurement activity involving a management employee to the Maryland Office of the State Prosecutor for further review.
“These audits examine procurement practices, internal controls, payroll systems, contracts, and how public assets are safeguarded,” Jennings said.
“They are a key accountability tool for taxpayers and school communities.”
Julie Henn, a member of the Baltimore County Board of Education, said the legislation
strengthens public trust in school governance.
“Selecting a superintendent is the most important statutory responsibility of any school board,”
Henn said.
“Maryland students and taxpayers deserve leadership decisions based on verified
information and proven results.”
Jennings emphasized the legislation would apply statewide.
“When billions of taxpayer dollars and the future of our schools are involved, decisions must be
based on facts, not outdated information,” Jennings said.
“This bill ensures school boards and the public have the financial transparency they deserve before major leadership decisions are
made.”
