Residency Fraud growing at Appletree Institute

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've said this before and I'll say it again, the problem is not the paper work. Parents are turning in the paper work that shows they are residents when they aren't. The problem is how easy it is to fool the system

Yep. This.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've said this before and I'll say it again, the problem is not the paper work. Parents are turning in the paper work that shows they are residents when they aren't. The problem is how easy it is to fool the system

+1
I'm hoping that they start to do more to cross-check information with other governments offices--the address you give for your school enrollment application should match the address on your tax returns, your driver's license, the address that the local benefits office has on file for you, etc. A discrepancy = an automatic audit. If there's a good reason why things don't match up--fine. If not, you're out.

Agreed. Someone should not be able to claim a child as a dependent for tax purposes (in another jurisdiction no less) and claim for school purposes that the child lives in DC with grandma.

[Anonymous]

Common problem everywhere that I don't think school officials want to address. Federal funds are tied to the number of enrolled students. It's not difficult to use technology and perform cross checks for enrollment eligibility. Citizens have to hold the powers that be accountable before anything happens. To my knowledge DCPS, doesn't have a CIO. However, they could leverage the the DC's CIO for assistance or hire their own. Maybe some turf wars but it can be done.

[Anonymous]

Bruce Monroe needs to be added to that list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Common problem everywhere that I don't think school officials want to address. Federal funds are tied to the number of enrolled students. It's not difficult to use technology and perform cross checks for enrollment eligibility. Citizens have to hold the powers that be accountable before anything happens. To my knowledge DCPS, doesn't have a CIO. However, they could leverage the the DC's CIO for assistance or hire their own. Maybe some turf wars but it can be done.

70-80% of public school budgets are from local funds, not federal funds.

I agree that it is a question of political will. DC politicians (mayor + council) want to talk about growing enrollment, do NOT want to close any existing schools (never popular with parents, also means firing teachers and staff).

If DC really goes after residency fraud, it is almost certain that some schools would close because the overall capacity would be too large.

[Anonymous]

Problem is that people think because they feel dc or big mama lives there that they can escape the nightmare that are PG schools and drop off on their way to legacy DC gov jobs that they aren’t really classically qualified for. The DC gov turns a blind eye because they don’t want to have a crack down mostly effect black people and appear to be bowing down to the recent white residents. As if enforcing rules and financial compliance are white people things

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Problem is that people think because they feel dc or big mama lives there that they can escape the nightmare that are PG schools and drop off on their way to legacy DC gov jobs that they aren’t really classically qualified for. The DC gov turns a blind eye because they don’t want to have a crack down mostly effect black people and appear to be bowing down to the recent white residents. As if enforcing rules and financial compliance are white people things

Every boundary cheater I have encountered has been white or Latinx. The desire for free PK and having kids close to one's work goes beyond black families.

[Anonymous]

A coworker uses her grandmother’s address, changed her license to DC, and changed her taxes to DC. Why? So her kid could go to a charter school in DC. She lives with her husband and daughter in a house they own in PG County. The school actually coached her on what to do. I’d report her but unless they follow her home every day, how can her fraud be proven?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A coworker uses her grandmother’s address, changed her license to DC, and changed her taxes to DC. Why? So her kid could go to a charter school in DC. She lives with her husband and daughter in a house they own in PG County. The school actually coached her on what to do. I’d report her but unless they follow her home every day, how can her fraud be proven?

When there is a credible report, they look at things like voter registration, social media history, interview the family, and yes, sometimes follow them home or at least visit the address they are claiming. They will also ask for more documentation than what you must produce when you register your child -- and look at when they 'moved' to DC.

You should report this and let OSSE take it from there. They may not catch her, but hopefully the school would get greater scrutiny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A coworker uses her grandmother’s address, changed her license to DC, and changed her taxes to DC. Why? So her kid could go to a charter school in DC. She lives with her husband and daughter in a house they own in PG County. The school actually coached her on what to do. I’d report her but unless they follow her home every day, how can her fraud be proven?

If she pays taxes, not sure I have an issue with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A coworker uses her grandmother’s address, changed her license to DC, and changed her taxes to DC. Why? So her kid could go to a charter school in DC. She lives with her husband and daughter in a house they own in PG County. The school actually coached her on what to do. I’d report her but unless they follow her home every day, how can her fraud be proven?

If she pays taxes, not sure I have an issue with it.

what if she pays less than the $19,000+ DC pays per child each year? What if she gets a refund of everything she put in (and more, because of EITC and other credits)? Also she's presumably cheating MD of taxes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A coworker uses her grandmother’s address, changed her license to DC, and changed her taxes to DC. Why? So her kid could go to a charter school in DC. She lives with her husband and daughter in a house they own in PG County. The school actually coached her on what to do. I’d report her but unless they follow her home every day, how can her fraud be proven?

When there is a credible report, they look at things like voter registration, social media history, interview the family, and yes, sometimes follow them home or at least visit the address they are claiming. They will also ask for more documentation than what you must produce when you register your child -- and look at when they 'moved' to DC.

You should report this and let OSSE take it from there. They may not catch her, but hopefully the school would get greater scrutiny.

Unfortunately the family I know that was investigated did not get this level of scrutiny. Or maybe they did but it did not matter. They were given a hearing and presented a fraudulent case that the child needed to live with a relative due to their financial circumstances. Their circumstances were not bad at all but just a letter indicating that the child needed to live with a relative (who was a DC resident) was sufficient.

[Anonymous]

What is going to happen as grandparents, relatives sell houses in DC? In Shepard Park, houses are being sold, so families can't use addresses anymore.

[Anonymous]

To the PP, then people will use the addresses of grandma’s friend, a church member , a sorority/fraternity member. I hate to break it to you but the black residents or former black residents are going no where. DC will do nothing about it. Heck I’ve been a residency cheater and feel no remorse. The city cannot push out people and expect that those people who have community ties (to family and jobs) not return. DC knows and feels bad at how they’ve pushed out many former residents whose families lived here 4-5 generations, so the city will turn a blind eye. This is how DC works! I’m not sure why all of a sudden it’s a problem for Susie so just moved here from Iowa.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A coworker uses her grandmother’s address, changed her license to DC, and changed her taxes to DC. Why? So her kid could go to a charter school in DC. She lives with her husband and daughter in a house they own in PG County. The school actually coached her on what to do. I’d report her but unless they follow her home every day, how can her fraud be proven?

If she pays taxes, not sure I have an issue with it.

what if she pays less than the $19,000+ DC pays per child each year? What if she gets a refund of everything she put in (and more, because of EITC and other credits)? Also she's presumably cheating MD of taxes.

Not paying DC property taxes on a home in MD.