My story: Accused of Residency Fraud

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the city did its due diligence there wouldn't need to be vigilante parents. But since the city won't do its job protecting taxpayer money, citizens will. Simple.

+1

Oh really? Go ahead, call in with a complaint about a fellow parent at your school with OSSE, somebody who's pretty clearly an address cheater. You know what will happen? Probably nothing, particularly if the parent is paying DC income tax/has shown withholding. OSSE only actually investigates a fraction of the complaints they get via the tips line. You're probably going to need your principal on board to get anywhere. You really have the time and energy to lobby with him or her?

[Anonymous]

No, it happens elsewhere in NW and EotP, anywhere early childhood spots are in high demand.

[Anonymous]

^In answer to 12:53's post about rumor mongering and busybody complaints only coming in from JKLM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the city did its due diligence there wouldn't need to be vigilante parents. But since the city won't do its job protecting taxpayer money, citizens will. Simple.

+1

Oh really? Go ahead, call in with a complaint about a fellow parent at your school with OSSE, somebody who's pretty clearly an address cheater. You know what will happen? Probably nothing, particularly if the parent is paying DC income tax/has shown withholding. OSSE only actually investigates a fraction of the complaints they get via the tips line. You're probably going to need your principal on board to get anywhere. You really have the time and energy to lobby with him or her?

That's the point, PP. The city isn't doing its job proving residency or investigating suspected cheaters. If it did the former better, it wouldn't need to worry much about the latter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the city did its due diligence there wouldn't need to be vigilante parents. But since the city won't do its job protecting taxpayer money, citizens will. Simple.

+1

Yeah, vigilante justice just works great. DC parents should demand a system that works better than simply snitching on neighbors.

[Anonymous]

I’ve never cheated to get my kids into a school. And they are in great schools. That said, I think these vigilante parents suck. I think they are bored, bitter, angry women with nothing else going on in their pathetic miserable lives. I’m really sorry your family went through that OP. Karma is a bitch. Let the universe deal with them.

[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.

YES THIS IS CRAZY and I hate all those parents too on your behalf.

There is nothing worse than running afoul of busybody parents who would rather make you feel uncomfortable and judged than just ask openly what's happening in your life. Someone could just say that it looks like you got a new car. Are we to report every MD car - AND follow them home????

What's the WORST thing about DC schools?? DC parents.

[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.

it.

[/b]

Gossiping about one of your kid's schoolmates with other parents is really bad (whether it is about where they live, about their parents who seem weird, whether the kid has some sort of disability, whatever). You do NOT need to validate your own suspicions with others. Own your own decision.

And regarding what's 'reasonable' -- it is unreasonable to continue to worry after you report it. You report it and if nothing happens you need to assume that they were able to prove they were residents and you exhale.

I wish more people were like you.

[Anonymous]

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?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Attending a high demand public school, my kids have enjoyed an amazing education and deep relationships with their peers. As a thankful parent, I volunteered regularly and participated in school events, up until last year.

After being victimized in our home of over 15 years, my kids and I retreated to alternative short-term housing, (an air bnb rental) also located in DC. I also, very gratefully, had a long term rental car for a short period with Maryland plates, which enabled a much needed resource to get to and from work.

In the midst of intense family trauma, a few very self-righteous people felt the need to “report” our family for residency fraud. One actually followed us and took pictures of us.

We are taxpayers, residents, and most importantly human beings.

We were not scheming the system and did not deserve the additional attention, intrusion, scrutiny, and targeting during our trauma. Some of the parents still do not realize that we have been cleared. I maintain a high level of discomfort and mistrust for our parent community.

I look forward to the day my children finish at this school, as I hope we can move on from this environment that would actively seek to disrupt the education of a child mid-year.

Previous investigations have found that very few people that are reported are actually found guilty of fraud. Before reporting suspected parents, please consider the hurt you may cause to those who truly don’t deserve it.

I am sorry to hear of your situation; however, as a teacher I know full well that many others are scamming the system. I pay my bills and don't shoplift from stores, but it doesn't mean that other shoplifters shouldn't be prosecuted especially if they have been doing it for years and have a good job!!! Don't really get your point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Attending a high demand public school, my kids have enjoyed an amazing education and deep relationships with their peers. As a thankful parent, I volunteered regularly and participated in school events, up until last year.

After being victimized in our home of over 15 years, my kids and I retreated to alternative short-term housing, (an air bnb rental) also located in DC. I also, very gratefully, had a long term rental car for a short period with Maryland plates, which enabled a much needed resource to get to and from work.

In the midst of intense family trauma, a few very self-righteous people felt the need to “report” our family for residency fraud. One actually followed us and took pictures of us.

We are taxpayers, residents, and most importantly human beings.

We were not scheming the system and did not deserve the additional attention, intrusion, scrutiny, and targeting during our trauma. Some of the parents still do not realize that we have been cleared. I maintain a high level of discomfort and mistrust for our parent community.

I look forward to the day my children finish at this school, as I hope we can move on from this environment that would actively seek to disrupt the education of a child mid-year.

Previous investigations have found that very few people that are reported are actually found guilty of fraud. Before reporting suspected parents, please consider the hurt you may cause to those who truly don’t deserve it.

First, I'm sorry for your circumstances.

But, let me make sure I understand - some parents reported you for residency fraud, when there were at least some indicia that you lived in Maryland. There was an investigation, you were cleared, and your kids still attend the school. And based on this, your plea is that when parents do have a suspicion of residency fraud, they . . . keep their mouths shut? Not say anything?

Sorry, that's ridiculous. And you red herring about "disrupting a child's education" is equally ridiculous. There only would be a disruption if you were found to be a residency cheater. And that's the parent's fault, not the schools. You seem to think that if a parent fraudulently enrolls in the school, their kid has a right to finish the year, because to do otherwise would disrupt the child's education? I'm sorry to keep re-using this word, but that's ridiculous.

You were investigated, and cleared. No harm, no foul.

Yeah really...sorry but some parents work their butts off to get kids to and from boundary schools and be engaged despite working 2 or 3 jobs! Others cheat the system and have good DC government jobs and also claim benefits! Of course we should investigate, and you were cleared, agreed you're being ridiculous and encouraging others to cheat.

[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.

YES THIS IS CRAZY and I hate all those parents too on your behalf.

There is nothing worse than running afoul of busybody parents who would rather make you feel uncomfortable and judged than just ask openly what's happening in your life. Someone could just say that it looks like you got a new car. Are we to report every MD car - AND follow them home????

What's the WORST thing about DC schools?? DC parents.

You mean, Fraudulent DC parents.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

I think posters are getting way spun up about this. OP is basically asking people to use some discretion and common sense. If you think someone is a residency cheater, report discretely to the school or school district through the proper channels. Don’t gossip about it or take it upon yourself to be a private investigator. Just report it and then go back to minding your own business.

Once you start gossiping, the OPs reputation is ruined no matter if she is innocent or not. How is she supposed to clear herself without talking about the trauma?

[Anonymous]

If OP lived in the District and someone followed her and took pictures wouldn't it prove she lives in the District even if it is an AirBnB?