Maryland’s first inspector general for education, who investigated everything from Somerset County school board missteps to the Baltimore County superintendent’s residency during his six years on the job, will leave in mid-April.

Richard Henry‘s appointment expired on June 30, and he was told in the fall that he would have to reapply for his job. He did and was not chosen, he said. He does not know who will replace him.

The Moore administration would not comment on the change, and it is unclear if the governor was unhappy with some of Henry’s reports, which often criticized local school officials. Inherent in an inspector general’s job is investigating and bringing to light failures in the system and sometimes criticizing elected leaders.

Henry oversees a team of investigators and auditors who look into complaints of school system mismanagement across the state.

He wrote reports that called out Baltimore schools for grading irregularities. He said Baltimore County’s superintendent broke her contract by not residing in the county. And when Harford County’s school board wanted its superintendent to be investigated, Henry essentially cleared him, saying he didn’t lose school-issued items on a trip to an education conference.

“I respect the process,” Henry said, adding that the governor, attorney general and state treasurer have the right to pick who they want. “I knew that coming into this job.”

“I just knew every day after June 30 was a gift.”

Henry was appointed during Gov. Larry Hogan’s tenure and confirmed by the Maryland state Senate just as the pandemic started. He was shown a furniture storage space as a potential office, he said, and then everything shut down.

Starting from scratch, he built the office into a team of 16 people. He said his investigations have touched all 23 counties and the city.

While some local governments have inspectors general, they have not often delved into school issues, even though as much as half of taxpayer revenue is spent on public schools.

The Maryland General Assembly is now considering a bill that would allow Baltimore County to create its own inspector general for schools.

“Henry set the path for all future inspectors general for education in Maryland,” said Isabel Mercedes Cumming, Baltimore’s inspector general. She said he should take pride in “the numerous education cases his team completed.”

Henry was the executive director of the Office of Compliance and Monitoring at the Maryland State Department of Education and had 34 years in law enforcement before he became the inspector general.

Henry said he was asked to stay on until April 17 to ensure continuity through the end of the legislative session. He said he has several more reports he wants to complete.

Henry’s not looking for another job. Instead, he plans to retire and travel with his wife. After more than 40 years in public service, he said, “I think it is time to take a step back and enjoy life.”

About the Education Hub

This reporting is part of The Banner’s Education Hub, community-funded journalism that provides parents with resources they need to make decisions about how their children learn. Read more.