WaPo takes deep dive into DCPS residency fraud

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The fix is so easy: connect DC tax returns to residency status for purposes of enrollment.

Every DCPS family - aside from military and diplomats - should be filing DC taxes. The military and diplomatic status are very easy to verify and they have zero incentive to scam the system.

Don't file DC taxes and have kids in DCPS? You have some explaining to do and the investigators can start there.

+100. Yes, lives are complicated and there would be other situations to deal with. But doing what PP suggests would get DC 95% there, at least.

And that's the rub - just requiring tax returns would cut down on the vast majority of the fraud.

For the other 5%, the investigators can spend their energy interviewing and seeing what's happening with the family. In fact, it may be helpful for DCPS to identify those families so more resources can be directed their way (counseling, after school tutoring, childcare subsidies, etc) if they are, in fact, DC residents. If a family is truly down on their luck or the kid is in an unstable environment, I want DCPS to identify them so they can get more resources targeted to those kids! If the family can't produce a tax return, then I want DCPS to know exactly why. No one is too poor to file a tax return and/or show DC withholding taxes on their pay stubs. If you are unemployed, then you file a tax return showing that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The fix is so easy: connect DC tax returns to residency status for purposes of enrollment.

Every DCPS family - aside from military and diplomats - should be filing DC taxes. The military and diplomatic status are very easy to verify and they have zero incentive to scam the system.

Don't file DC taxes and have kids in DCPS? You have some explaining to do and the investigators can start there.

+100. Yes, lives are complicated and there would be other situations to deal with. But doing what PP suggests would get DC 95% there, at least.

And that's the rub - just requiring tax returns would cut down on the vast majority of the fraud.

For the other 5%, the investigators can spend their energy interviewing and seeing what's happening with the family. In fact, it may be helpful for DCPS to identify those families so more resources can be directed their way (counseling, after school tutoring, childcare subsidies, etc) if they are, in fact, DC residents. If a family is truly down on their luck or the kid is in an unstable environment, I want DCPS to identify them so they can get more resources targeted to those kids! If the family can't produce a tax return, then I want DCPS to know exactly why. No one is too poor to file a tax return and/or show DC withholding taxes on their pay stubs. If you are unemployed, then you file a tax return showing that.

Yes, you can be too low income to file a tax return!

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/irs-tax-return/does-everyone-need-to-file-an-income-tax-return/L7pluHkoW

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The fix is so easy: connect DC tax returns to residency status for purposes of enrollment.

Every DCPS family - aside from military and diplomats - should be filing DC taxes. The military and diplomatic status are very easy to verify and they have zero incentive to scam the system.

Don't file DC taxes and have kids in DCPS? You have some explaining to do and the investigators can start there.

+100. Yes, lives are complicated and there would be other situations to deal with. But doing what PP suggests would get DC 95% there, at least.

And that's the rub - just requiring tax returns would cut down on the vast majority of the fraud.

For the other 5%, the investigators can spend their energy interviewing and seeing what's happening with the family. In fact, it may be helpful for DCPS to identify those families so more resources can be directed their way (counseling, after school tutoring, childcare subsidies, etc) if they are, in fact, DC residents. If a family is truly down on their luck or the kid is in an unstable environment, I want DCPS to identify them so they can get more resources targeted to those kids! If the family can't produce a tax return, then I want DCPS to know exactly why. No one is too poor to file a tax return and/or show DC withholding taxes on their pay stubs. If you are unemployed, then you file a tax return showing that.

Yes, you can be too low income to file a tax return!

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/irs-tax-return/does-everyone-need-to-file-an-income-tax-return/L7pluHkoW

So What's the solution. We've got 1/2 empty newly renovated buildings no one want to go to and wait lists and overcrowding at others. Maybe we should have a summer clear out ...

[Anonymous]

DCPS is never going to have more than one investigator. Since the WaPo has done this breaking story they might hire 2 more people. However, more bodies in DCPS seats equal growth and more money for each student received from the federal gov. Many of the SE schools in Wards 7 & 8 are filled with PG residents but the administrators and Central office look the other way. These students get free lunch, free before/after care and SPED services. I knew of a family with 4 children enrolled in a school (Turner ES) to be exact and the mother lived in PG county. The mother was using the grandmother's address. The mother then also received social security checks for her children's ADHD disability and SPED services.

[Anonymous]

The big question is, will it help waitlists move faster this year? I say it won't-- a lot of the problem is faux-IB kids at overcrowded schools and if they leave, that doesn't mean a seat will be offered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DCPS is never going to have more than one investigator. Since the WaPo has done this breaking story they might hire 2 more people. However, more bodies in DCPS seats equal growth and more money for each student received from the federal gov. Many of the SE schools in Wards 7 & 8 are filled with PG residents but the administrators and Central office look the other way. These students get free lunch, free before/after care and SPED services. I knew of a family with 4 children enrolled in a school (Turner ES) to be exact and the mother lived in PG county. The mother was using the grandmother's address. The mother then also received social security checks for her children's ADHD disability and SPED services.

Yes this happens so much at my school. Although I’ve said this here before and no one believed me.

[Anonymous]

The low-hanging fruit for investigating DC residency fraud is DCPS and DC government employees. The address where people employed by the city pay income taxes is easily verifiable, and it should be quite a simple task to match the school system residency data to the city's records of its own employees. Not to mention that the city has some indication of the income stability of these individuals - their children are unlikely to be experiencing homelessness, for example.

HOWEVER, if the city has no appetite to do this verification, it sends a signal to everyone in the city that no one will actually hold them accountable. And nothing will ever change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCPS is never going to have more than one investigator. Since the WaPo has done this breaking story they might hire 2 more people. However, more bodies in DCPS seats equal growth and more money for each student received from the federal gov. Many of the SE schools in Wards 7 & 8 are filled with PG residents but the administrators and Central office look the other way. These students get free lunch, free before/after care and SPED services. I knew of a family with 4 children enrolled in a school (Turner ES) to be exact and the mother lived in PG county. The mother was using the grandmother's address. The mother then also received social security checks for her children's ADHD disability and SPED services.

Yes this happens so much at my school. Although I’ve said this here before and no one believed me.

Same thing at my EOTR school. I would estimate between 25 and 49% of my students live in PG County. They aren’t even discrete about it- they use their grandparent or another relative’s address for residency purposes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The low-hanging fruit for investigating DC residency fraud is DCPS and DC government employees. The address where people employed by the city pay income taxes is easily verifiable, and it should be quite a simple task to match the school system residency data to the city's records of its own employees. Not to mention that the city has some indication of the income stability of these individuals - their children are unlikely to be experiencing homelessness, for example.

HOWEVER, if the city has no appetite to do this verification, it sends a signal to everyone in the city that no one will actually hold them accountable. And nothing will ever change.

this this this this this this this this

I'd bet the $1200 in income taxes I'm going to pay DC tomorrow, and the $9500 I just paid in property taxes that this simple report tool will never be developed.

Hush, child

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was a residency cheater. Thank goodness we got away with it before it all came to light. I hate to say it but at the time I needed it and school started later in the suburbs. DCPS teachers should be allowed to have their children in the free pre-k even if they live outside of the city. I would disagree with DC gov employees. DCPS does need to increase their pool of talented teachers and ones who are veterans. If I were a District resident I would be fine with TFA and other short cohort programs for younger grades but as your child gets older you need and want veteran teachers

Um, no.

Listen, I think DC teacher RESIDENTS should have a preference category in the lottery but the above is just dumb. DC residents are PAYING for prek through taxes. You, living out of state, do not pay DC taxes, right? So no no no.

DC gets no commuter tax. And nothing is forcing people to live outside of MD. Nothing except an expectation that they need to have a newly built 5 bedroom, 3 bath SFH with a pool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was a residency cheater. Thank goodness we got away with it before it all came to light. I hate to say it but at the time I needed it and school started later in the suburbs. DCPS teachers should be allowed to have their children in the free pre-k even if they live outside of the city. I would disagree with DC gov employees. DCPS does need to increase their pool of talented teachers and ones who are veterans. If I were a District resident I would be fine with TFA and other short cohort programs for younger grades but as your child gets older you need and want veteran teachers

Schools have beforecare for exactly this reason.

She meant for 3 yo's vs 5 yos, not early in the am.

Suburban daycares open at 6!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCPS is never going to have more than one investigator. Since the WaPo has done this breaking story they might hire 2 more people. However, more bodies in DCPS seats equal growth and more money for each student received from the federal gov. Many of the SE schools in Wards 7 & 8 are filled with PG residents but the administrators and Central office look the other way. These students get free lunch, free before/after care and SPED services. I knew of a family with 4 children enrolled in a school (Turner ES) to be exact and the mother lived in PG county. The mother was using the grandmother's address. The mother then also received social security checks for her children's ADHD disability and SPED services.

Yes this happens so much at my school. Although I’ve said this here before and no one believed me.

Same thing at my EOTR school. I would estimate between 25 and 49% of my students live in PG County. They aren’t even discrete about it- they use their grandparent or another relative’s address for residency purposes.

Are PG schools really that bad?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If this bothers you, bang on your Council Member to do something. Based off of the Antwan Wilson situation--unless your council member is Brandon Todd, who will merely put out a press release that says nothing--he or she will respond to constituent complaints about this.

Ditto re: Brandon Todd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m confused how people falsify records. You need two forms to prove residency, unless you have a pay stub. It’s not that easy to do. Practically, how do people falsify these forms?

Granny lives in DC. Have Grandma's utility bills in your name and register your car at Granny's house.

[Anonymous]

PG schools are not that bad, but it is more convenient for parents who work in DC to have their kids in DC schools - especially given "perks" like free meals, free aftercare, and free summer school. The logistics are easier, whether or not the school quality is much different.