The drama that continues to swirl around the MCPS with the Inspector General’s Report and the resignation of the superintendent gives us a situation ripe for change.
The stars are now aligned to have full-time members of the Board of Education with salaries commensurate with their full-time status. This will broaden the appeal for experienced candidates to run for these positions. The current part time board, however dedicated, does not seem capable of overseeing a school system as large as that of Montgomery County with a budget of over $3 billion, a student body of 160,000 students and a staff of 25,000.
Part-time oversight has failed. Is it fair to ask a part-time board with abysmally low salaries to exercise oversight over a large and complex organization such as our schools?
A full-time board would necessitate a full-time and independent MCPS IG reporting to the board. A full-time MCPS IG would supervise the annual audit with a direct path to the board rather than through MCPS bureaucratic channels. A full-time MCPS IG would fortify board governance with independent reviews of management’s internal controls over finance, operations and compliance. A full-time MCPS IG would review all key controls and provide an annual report on the effectiveness of those controls by showing how management’s reports, policy enforcement, and results conform to control objectives.
There is still another rationale for an independent MCPS IG, which follows directly from the results of the county IG’s report and the many unanswered questions it has left in its wake.
Was the extremely narrow scope of the county IG’s investigation set so as not to be seen as the council’s subversion of its control of the Superintendent’s performance which falls within the ambit of the board? Did the county IG settle for “evasive answers” in an earlier report because the county IG’s authority over an independent agency is restricted by State law. Ergo, would an independent MCPS OIG have provided a more comprehensive report?
While a concept of an independent MCPS IG will likely set off a battle of wills between MCPS and the council/county executive – and will require state legislation – the council will continue to exercise the power of the purse over MCPS.
The council will argue that it has added two positions to the county IG’s Office dedicated solely to MCPS. True, but does the county IG have the power to enforce its findings on the Board? Will the board cede its authority to the council?
It is time for a change. Our children deserve it.
Joan Fidler of Bethesda is a board member of the Montgomery County Taxpayers League.
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