Maryland State Wire

Gov. Larry Hogan has introduced a new series of initiatives focused on ensuring accountability throughout the state school systems while cracking down on corruption in the school system.

"Since taking office, Gov. Hogan has been fighting for increased accountability in local school systems to ensure that taxpayer dollars truly go toward educating our children instead of administrative costs, and that instances of fraud, corruption and mismanagement are exposed," Angela Berard, Hogan's press secretary, told Maryland State Wire.

Berard explained that Hogan is a strong believer in all children in the state being given wide access to a world-class education, whether they grow up poor or wealthy, which is one of the main reasons that he is dedicated to the new accountability measures.

Gov. Larry Hogan | Courtesy of the Office of Governor Larry Hogan

"With these accountability measures in place, Gov. Hogan is taking immediate steps toward attaining the transparency, integrity and accountability that Maryland parents, teachers and students expect and deserve," Berard said.

Finally, as part of the new education initiative, Hogan has also voiced a commitment to reintroduce legislation in the 2019 session of the Maryland General Assembly in order to build an independent investigator general who will be in charge of investigating allegations of corruption, mismanagement and criminal conduct in Maryland school systems. 

"Gov. Hogan signed an executive order creating the Office of Education Accountability, which will operate out of the Governor’s Office for Children," Berard said. 

The Governor's Office for Children will be tasked with a number of important duties, all of which will work together to ensure a safer school system, as well as guaranteeing a fairer education system for all students.

"This office will act as an independent watchdog charged with analyzing, coordinating and providing recommendations on matters including procurement, child abuse, neglect, safety, grading, graduation requirements, assessments, educational facilities and budgets," Berard said.