MARYLAND (WBFF) — Maryland’s new Inspector General for Education is promising rigorous investigations into how billions of your taxpayer dollars are spent in public schools. But months into the job, Natalia Medina Ahn has yet to release a single public report.
In her first media interview since taking office, Ahn spoke with Project Baltimore’s Chris Papst and addressed concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest, her priorities, and when taxpayers can expect results.
ALSO READ | Changing tests, unclear results: Why MD struggles to measure long-term student success
Maryland spends billions of dollars every year on public education. To oversee how that money is spent and to root out waste, fraud and abuse, former Governor Larry Hogan signed legislation creating the Office of the Inspector General for Education.
In 2020, Rick Henry was first appointed to the position. In April of this year, Ahn replaced him.
“I’m incredibly happy with the opportunity and ecstatic that I’m able to do this work,” Ahn told FOX45 News.
Ahn was born in Puerto Rico and grew up in south Florida where she says she personally benefited from a public-school education.
“Grew up with really humble means,” explained Ahn. “But really got my success from public school. I feel sort of indebted to that process.”
Which is why Ahn says she accepted the IG position.
“My vision is strong, robust investigations. That’s what I want to be known for,” stated Ahn. “Rigorous investigations and turn that into strong systems. So that in turn can turn into better student outcomes.”
After graduating law school, Ahn moved to Maryland to work as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. Afterwards, she held various positions throughout Maryland as legal counsel – which became a focal point when she was nominated to be the IG by Governor Wes Moore. At the time, Ahn was deputy legal counsel for Governor Moore. That led some to question her nomination, including State Senator Justin Ready.
“Are they truly going to be independent or are they there to just do maybe a political agenda or kind of watch the governor’s back versus watch out for taxpayer dollars?” questioned Ready in February.
FOX45 News asked Ahn about those concerns.
“You worked for the governor,” asked Papst. “And now you do have the ability to publish reports in an election year that could affect your former boss. Do you think that is something taxpayers should be concerned about?”
“I think taxpayers should be concerned about conflicts of interest generally,” replied Ahn. “What I’m here to tell you today is that I will not take on an investigation where there’s a determined conflict, and I’m not afraid of having a third party take a look at my conflicts policy, or at my conflict that I will disclose, to determine whether or not that jeopardizes the integrity of an investigation.”
Maryland’s governor directly impacts public education in the state. He appoints the State Board of Education, along with members of the Baltimore County school board. As IG, Ahn may have to investigate the people who were appointed by her former boss.
Conflicts of interest could also exist within school systems. Ahn once worked as legal counsel in Montgomery County Public Schools where her superior was Josh Civin, who is now chief legal counsel in Baltimore City Public Schools.
“Your relationship with Josh Civin? Is that also something that taxpayers should be concerned about?” Papst asked Ahn during the interview.
“I think taxpayers should always be concerned about relationships generally, and whether there are conflicts of interest processes in place to avoid jeopardizing investigations,” Ahn responded. “I know Josh, sure, I used to work for him. But just like all the other general counsels that I’ve reached out to and superintendents – what you’re going to hear from me is, I’m not going to treat you any differently.”
ALSO READ | As funding soars, Maryland students post modest gains on state testing
In time, the public will find out. But so far the public has nothing by which to compare Ahn’s actions to her words. Since taking office in April, around four months ago, Ahn has not released any reports.
“Yeah. That’s right. No, we haven’t released reports, yet,” Ahn said. “I want to create rigorous standard operating procedures. I want to ensure that internally we are operating with strength and that any reports that we do publish are published without any gaps in evidence and that we’re following the facts to the fullest extent.”
Ahn could not say when her office will begin publishing reports.
“I wish I could tell you, I couldn’t tell you,” said Ahn. “There are investigations that were ongoing when I came in, and there’s new investigations that are part of the new complaints or initiatives. They’re all on different timelines.”
Project Baltimore also asked Ahn about the current public records legal battle in Baltimore City between Inspector General Isabel Cumming and Mayor Brandon Scott. The outcome of that court case will likely have some effect on inspectors general throughout the state. Ahn said she’s been watching the case, but declined to comment on the merits.
Follow Project Baltimore’s Chris Papst on X and Facebook. Send news tips to cjpapst@sbgtv.com
Local Story
