My story: Accused of Residency Fraud

[Anonymous]

OP here. I did not write that the reporting/fraud investigation process was designed to catch innocent people.

Based on the data, I wrote that “outcomes” of the current process seems to catche more innocent cleared families than guilty families. (Based on OSSE data)

The process is flawed and can be improved. No matter which side of the argument you are on, I’d hope we can all agree on that. Maybe not.

And when I said my home was invaded, it was not a metaphor. Please read the original post.

Signing off, finally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
1. it's not hard, for nearly everyone, to prove where you live. it just isn't. here's what you need: https://www.myschooldc.org/enroll/dc-residency-requirements

2. the dc government is well aware that there are a small number people in unusual circumstances where they have more difficulty proving where they live. the government is not surprised by these cases, and they know how to deal with it.

3. the dc government generally speaking is not in the business of persecuting poor people. and, relatedly, the dc government does a terribly job of enforcing residency requirements. my guess is that, if you're in the government's sights on this, it's most likely because it is a really egregious case that even they can't ignore.

4. people cheat.

+4

[Anonymous]

The law doesn't require you to throw open the door to your personal life to the government - you have a right to privacy. If, for example, spouses elect to maintain separate residences, even in different states, the law doesn't ask questions as to why they're doing this. If you're in the government's sights, it's most likely because fellow parents have an axe to grind and are coming at your for a personal reason. The DC government likes to tick off boxes in the interest of leaving you alone while appearing to go the extra mile in enforcing residency requirements. That's why DCPS residency investigations generally start and end with the submission of documents, vs. home visits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think previous posters don't understood why OP is upset and angry, but I do think they take issue with the OP's implication that suspicion of residency fraud shouldn't be reported because it might hurt others. People who report suspected residency fraud aren't typically trying to hurt someone, they are trying to protect spots in DC schools for DC residents.

It is one thing to report someone to OSSE and keep it to yourself, letting the chips fall where they may.

It is quite another to gossip with other people about whether they too suspect Suzy isn't a DC resident and/or to take pictures and FOLLOW HER CAR HOME.

I agree that the one person who followed her and took pictures went too far, but if parents at a school suspect a family of residency fraud they are going to talk about it - if for no other reason than to verify that their suspicions may be valid and thus merit reporting in the first place. I don't think gossiping about others is acceptable, but that is the world we live in. Chances are if one other family noticed a possible residency cheat, others did too. For sometime now there is has been great suspicion that OSSE is dropping the ball regarding residency fraud. While I do not think other parents have any right to know the outcome of a possible investigation, it is not unreasonable to continue to worry that residency fraud is occurring if you don't believe OSSE has done anything about it.

So you're okay with parents suspecting and gossiping that you're sleeping with Johnny's dad. After all, it's the world we live in. So let's just spread all kinds of rumors to fill our fancy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think previous posters don't understood why OP is upset and angry, but I do think they take issue with the OP's implication that suspicion of residency fraud shouldn't be reported because it might hurt others. People who report suspected residency fraud aren't typically trying to hurt someone, they are trying to protect spots in DC schools for DC residents.

It is one thing to report someone to OSSE and keep it to yourself, letting the chips fall where they may.

It is quite another to gossip with other people about whether they too suspect Suzy isn't a DC resident and/or to take pictures and FOLLOW HER CAR HOME.

I agree that the one person who followed her and took pictures went too far, but if parents at a school suspect a family of residency fraud they are going to talk about it - if for no other reason than to verify that their suspicions may be valid and thus merit reporting in the first place. I don't think gossiping about others is acceptable, but that is the world we live in. Chances are if one other family noticed a possible residency cheat, others did too. For sometime now there is has been great suspicion that OSSE is dropping the ball regarding residency fraud. While I do not think other parents have any right to know the outcome of a possible investigation, it is not unreasonable to continue to worry that residency fraud is occurring if you don't believe OSSE has done anything about it.

So you're okay with parents suspecting and gossiping that you're sleeping with Johnny's dad. After all, it's the world we live in. So let's just spread all kinds of rumors to fill our fancy.

Well, yes, if I roll up to drop off in the morning in the car with Johnny’s dad and wearing yesterday’s clothes, I wouldn’t be surprised if the bored old biddies start to gossip.

[Anonymous]

Wow. Runtelldat smug moms abound in NW DC.

OP, I’m sorry this happened to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think previous posters don't understood why OP is upset and angry, but I do think they take issue with the OP's implication that suspicion of residency fraud shouldn't be reported because it might hurt others. People who report suspected residency fraud aren't typically trying to hurt someone, they are trying to protect spots in DC schools for DC residents.

It is one thing to report someone to OSSE and keep it to yourself, letting the chips fall where they may.

It is quite another to gossip with other people about whether they too suspect Suzy isn't a DC resident and/or to take pictures and FOLLOW HER CAR HOME.

I agree that the one person who followed her and took pictures went too far, but if parents at a school suspect a family of residency fraud they are going to talk about it - if for no other reason than to verify that their suspicions may be valid and thus merit reporting in the first place. I don't think gossiping about others is acceptable, but that is the world we live in. Chances are if one other family noticed a possible residency cheat, others did too. For sometime now there is has been great suspicion that OSSE is dropping the ball regarding residency fraud. While I do not think other parents have any right to know the outcome of a possible investigation, it is not unreasonable to continue to worry that residency fraud is occurring if you don't believe OSSE has done anything about it.

So you're okay with parents suspecting and gossiping that you're sleeping with Johnny's dad. After all, it's the world we live in. So let's just spread all kinds of rumors to fill our fancy.

Well, yes, if I roll up to drop off in the morning in the car with Johnny’s dad and wearing yesterday’s clothes, I wouldn’t be surprised if the bored old biddies start to gossip.

But if you roll up to drop off in the morning at Janney in a car with Maryland plates, you bet your bootie we’re going to report you for residency fraud!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think previous posters don't understood why OP is upset and angry, but I do think they take issue with the OP's implication that suspicion of residency fraud shouldn't be reported because it might hurt others. People who report suspected residency fraud aren't typically trying to hurt someone, they are trying to protect spots in DC schools for DC residents.

It is one thing to report someone to OSSE and keep it to yourself, letting the chips fall where they may.

It is quite another to gossip with other people about whether they too suspect Suzy isn't a DC resident and/or to take pictures and FOLLOW HER CAR HOME.

I agree that the one person who followed her and took pictures went too far, but if parents at a school suspect a family of residency fraud they are going to talk about it - if for no other reason than to verify that their suspicions may be valid and thus merit reporting in the first place. I don't think gossiping about others is acceptable, but that is the world we live in. Chances are if one other family noticed a possible residency cheat, others did too. For sometime now there is has been great suspicion that OSSE is dropping the ball regarding residency fraud. While I do not think other parents have any right to know the outcome of a possible investigation, it is not unreasonable to continue to worry that residency fraud is occurring if you don't believe OSSE has done anything about it.

So you're okay with parents suspecting and gossiping that you're sleeping with Johnny's dad. After all, it's the world we live in. So let's just spread all kinds of rumors to fill our fancy.

Well, yes, if I roll up to drop off in the morning in the car with Johnny’s dad and wearing yesterday’s clothes, I wouldn’t be surprised if the bored old biddies start to gossip.

But if you roll up to drop off in the morning at Janney in a car with Maryland plates, you bet your bootie we’re going to report you for residency fraud!

I'm so glad that you begrudge me the couple of nights I have a week with my kids. I live in Bethesda; my ex is zoned for Janney. When the kids stay with me, I drop them off on the way to school. I'll make sure to rearrange my life so as to not give you the impression that I am committing residency fraud.

[Anonymous]

Don't worry, PP above. But I'd keep supplemental residency paperwork at the ready anyway, or rather ask your ex to. We got investigated under similar circumstances while divorcing and it wasn't a big deal in the end. The main thing you will need if investigated are several years of certified tax returns showing DC withholding in the name of the in-boundary parent. I'd ask the ex to get them (easily done) in case somebody at Janney tries to rat you out. Then you won't be in a flap if you're investigated. You can beat back vigilante losers who tattle if you plan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m going to be move mid spring semester. I will still own my current residence. Is it wrong to keep my kids at their school? Could someone have a case against us remaining at our school?

Are you moving out of DC? Then you are not supposed to be able to stay in school, although most people will look the other way.

If you are moving from being IB for a DCPS school to OOB, you are allowed to stay through the end of the school year. Staying beyond that until the terminal grade of the school is up to your principal.

You cannot continue in the feeder pattern of your old IB school, but I am not sure DCPS has figured out how to enforce that rule. This piece is relatively new.

We moved to Maryland mid-year. It wasn't planned, but it couldn't be postponed. Our child was in fifth grade at an underenrolled charter. There was no wait list for their spot. We were open with the school from the beginning about what was going on, and that we would not be continuing there for the next year.

We got reported for fraud in APRIL. April of the last year of elementary school. Our child had to go to school at an MD elementary for two months. The last two months of elementary school--or, we were.told we would be liable for the entire year's tuition in DC, despite having lived there and paid taxes. If they'd prorated it, I would have done it. But we didn't have an entire year's money, nor should we have been responsible for it.

I hesitate to tell this story because I know the self-righteous people who post here, and I know they will just blame us. And life is a series of choices: we own the ones we make. We couldn't stay in our rental in DC (the boiler broke and the landlord wouldn't repair it, after we moved the house stood vacant for two years, uninhabitable) -- and we wanted to buy. We got outbid in DC and ended up starting to bid on places in MD. We chose to bid where we did. We made a choice, our family and our child had to live with it.

And yet, to this day I still wonder what kind of asshole decided to report is, knowing our family, knowing our kid, (and how happy they were with their friends to be finishing fifth grade), and... frankly, knowing how many other kids at our school had households that went cross-border.

Truth is, life is complicated. This is supposed to be what's best for the kids. I would have moved my kid mid-year, had it been any other year but the end of elementary school, but at the time, I thought they needed the stability. To be honest, I preferred the MD elementary over the DC charter. But again, I thought the child needed the stability. We'd already gone from a DCPS to the DCPCS. It was the second year at the DCPS. The last year before middle school.

I've said it before: people here are awful. It's true. Not everyone, but enough. This is the pettiest, most zero-sum place I have ever seen. The longer I live here, the more petty and zero-sum I feel myself. The entire mentality of reporting on your neighbors--reporting on children--is just gross. The entire mentality that resources are finite and you are more deserving is no way to live. Is there residence fraud? Sure. Is there a way to check for it? Certainly. Is encouraging people to rat each other out the best way to handle it? No.

One thing I will say is, things are a lot more laid back in Maryland. Because I am lazy, I drove a car with DC plates here for nearly a year. Enrolled the kid in elementary and middle school with my house deed, a utility bill ... And my DC drivers license. I miss the city. But not the people.

Queue: dozens of you threatening to report me to the DMV, for driving fraud. Eyeroll.

[Anonymous]

Maryland may seem more relaxed about dealing with fraud because they deal with it and don’t let the problem spiral out of control, the way DC has done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m going to be move mid spring semester. I will still own my current residence. Is it wrong to keep my kids at their school? Could someone have a case against us remaining at our school?

Are you moving out of DC? Then you are not supposed to be able to stay in school, although most people will look the other way.

If you are moving from being IB for a DCPS school to OOB, you are allowed to stay through the end of the school year. Staying beyond that until the terminal grade of the school is up to your principal.

You cannot continue in the feeder pattern of your old IB school, but I am not sure DCPS has figured out how to enforce that rule. This piece is relatively new.

We moved to Maryland mid-year. It wasn't planned, but it couldn't be postponed. Our child was in fifth grade at an underenrolled charter. There was no wait list for their spot. We were open with the school from the beginning about what was going on, and that we would not be continuing there for the next year.

We got reported for fraud in APRIL. April of the last year of elementary school. Our child had to go to school at an MD elementary for two months. The last two months of elementary school--or, we were.told we would be liable for the entire year's tuition in DC, despite having lived there and paid taxes. If they'd prorated it, I would have done it. But we didn't have an entire year's money, nor should we have been responsible for it.

I hesitate to tell this story because I know the self-righteous people who post here, and I know they will just blame us. And life is a series of choices: we own the ones we make. We couldn't stay in our rental in DC (the boiler broke and the landlord wouldn't repair it, after we moved the house stood vacant for two years, uninhabitable) -- and we wanted to buy. We got outbid in DC and ended up starting to bid on places in MD. We chose to bid where we did. We made a choice, our family and our child had to live with it.

And yet, to this day I still wonder what kind of asshole decided to report is, knowing our family, knowing our kid, (and how happy they were with their friends to be finishing fifth grade), and... frankly, knowing how many other kids at our school had households that went cross-border.

Truth is, life is complicated. This is supposed to be what's best for the kids. I would have moved my kid mid-year, had it been any other year but the end of elementary school, but at the time, I thought they needed the stability. To be honest, I preferred the MD elementary over the DC charter. But again, I thought the child needed the stability. We'd already gone from a DCPS to the DCPCS. It was the second year at the DCPS. The last year before middle school.

I've said it before: people here are awful. It's true. Not everyone, but enough. This is the pettiest, most zero-sum place I have ever seen. The longer I live here, the more petty and zero-sum I feel myself. The entire mentality of reporting on your neighbors--reporting on children--is just gross. The entire mentality that resources are finite and you are more deserving is no way to live. Is there residence fraud? Sure. Is there a way to check for it? Certainly. Is encouraging people to rat each other out the best way to handle it? No.

One thing I will say is, things are a lot more laid back in Maryland. Because I am lazy, I drove a car with DC plates here for nearly a year. Enrolled the kid in elementary and middle school with my house deed, a utility bill ... And my DC drivers license. I miss the city. But not the people.

Queue: dozens of you threatening to report me to the DMV, for driving fraud. Eyeroll.

Look, I get that using people to rat out cheaters isn't ideal, and I'm sorry you were given wrong info by your school, but come on- you really think your kid should have been able to stay at a school in a completely different STATE for half a year? On what planet is that legit? I'm sorry they kicked out out late, but you were a complete fool not to move him immediately.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maryland may seem more relaxed about dealing with fraud because they deal with it and don’t let the problem spiral out of control, the way DC has done.

Yep. This is true. Still doesn't make cheating in DC any less bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We moved to Maryland mid-year. It wasn't planned, but it couldn't be postponed. Our child was in fifth grade at an underenrolled charter. There was no wait list for their spot. We were open with the school from the beginning about what was going on, and that we would not be continuing there for the next year.

We got reported for fraud in APRIL. April of the last year of elementary school. Our child had to go to school at an MD elementary for two months. The last two months of elementary school--or, we were.told we would be liable for the entire year's tuition in DC, despite having lived there and paid taxes. If they'd prorated it, I would have done it. But we didn't have an entire year's money, nor should we have been responsible for it.

I hesitate to tell this story because I know the self-righteous people who post here, and I know they will just blame us. And life is a series of choices: we own the ones we make. We couldn't stay in our rental in DC (the boiler broke and the landlord wouldn't repair it, after we moved the house stood vacant for two years, uninhabitable) -- and we wanted to buy. We got outbid in DC and ended up starting to bid on places in MD. We chose to bid where we did. We made a choice, our family and our child had to live with it.

And yet, to this day I still wonder what kind of asshole decided to report is, knowing our family, knowing our kid, (and how happy they were with their friends to be finishing fifth grade), and... frankly, knowing how many other kids at our school had households that went cross-border.

Truth is, life is complicated. This is supposed to be what's best for the kids. I would have moved my kid mid-year, had it been any other year but the end of elementary school, but at the time, I thought they needed the stability. To be honest, I preferred the MD elementary over the DC charter. But again, I thought the child needed the stability. We'd already gone from a DCPS to the DCPCS. It was the second year at the DCPS. The last year before middle school.

I've said it before: people here are awful. It's true. Not everyone, but enough. This is the pettiest, most zero-sum place I have ever seen. The longer I live here, the more petty and zero-sum I feel myself. The entire mentality of reporting on your neighbors--reporting on children--is just gross. The entire mentality that resources are finite and you are more deserving is no way to live. Is there residence fraud? Sure. Is there a way to check for it? Certainly. Is encouraging people to rat each other out the best way to handle it? No.

One thing I will say is, things are a lot more laid back in Maryland. Because I am lazy, I drove a car with DC plates here for nearly a year. Enrolled the kid in elementary and middle school with my house deed, a utility bill ... And my DC drivers license. I miss the city. But not the people.

Queue: dozens of you threatening to report me to the DMV, for driving fraud. Eyeroll.

Don't play the victim here. You moved mid-year and you should have disenrolled your child as soon as you moved out of the District. If you were so concerned about your child's stability, you should have signed a temporary lease on an apartment in the city or adjusted your timeline for buying to coincide with summer break.

You were wrong, period, and your deeds caught up with you.

[Anonymous]

The "victim" is just lazy