March 15, 2019

VIA EMAIL/U.S MAIL
The Honorable Kathleen Causey, Chair
Board of Education of Baltimore County
6901 N. Charles Street
Towson, Maryland 21204
Court House
Towson, Maryland 21204
410-887-3196
Fax: 410-887-5791

RE:

External Audit of BCPS Purchasing Practices

Dear Chairwoman Causey and Members of the Board:
We are writing to request the timely release to the public of the external audit of
BCPS purchasing practices and expenditures performed by the firm UHY. This firm was hired
by the Board of Education in May of last year at a reported cost to taxpayers of over
$400,000. On January 18, 2019 the Board received a draft audit.

Tom Quirk

FIRST DISTRICT

Izzy Patoka

SECOND DISTRICT

Wade Kach

THIRD DISTRICT

Julian E. Jones, Jr.
FOURTH DISTRICT

David Marks

FIFTH DISTRICT

Cathy Bevins

SIXTH DISTRICT

The purpose of the audit was to restore the public’s confidence in the school system
and to ensure that the Board and BCPS are spending taxpayer dollars appropriately and
efficiently. From January 18 until yesterday, the Board gave no indication of when it plans to
release the final audit. In that time, all stakeholders, community leaders, elected officials, and
others have repeatedly called for the release of the audit, or, at minimum, a timeline for
release.
Yesterday, after consecutive days of statewide press scrutiny, the Board issued a
statement that the audit would be issued in “upcoming weeks, not months.” While the Board
may have legitimate reasons for the month’s long delay, its silence has done nothing to dispel
the public’s concerns.
It is understandable why the Board, with seven new members and an interim
superintendent, would wish to speak cautiously about the audit. We share the Board’s interest
and passion in delivering efficient, fair, and effective education to all BCPS students. We
believe this audit is a positive step toward achieving the best possible education system. We
therefore again respectfully request the timely release to the public of the external audit
performed by UHY so that all eyes can review the document and have input in determining
what, if any, changes need to be made to BCPS purchasing practices going forward.
Sincerely,

Todd K. Crandell

SEVENTH DISTRICT

Thomas H. Bostwick

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL
SECRETARY

CC:clb

Tom Quirk, Chairman

Izzy Patoka Councilman

Julian E. Jones, Jr., Councilman

David Marks, Councilman

Cathy Bevins, Councilwoman

Todd K. Crandell, Councilman