School residency cheaters investigated

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, she is a DC taxpayer.

Excellent point. She's actually probably safe, from the financial penalties perspective.

No, not at all. If her legal residence is in Maryland, her kids can't be going to District schools. If she moves across the border -- gets a DC drivers license, registers her car here, votes her, declares this to be her income tax residency jurisdiction, then she becomes a DC resident. I'd bet that her federal and MD income tax returns show her to be a MD resident.

If she claims a homestead exemption I think she can be prosecuted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is among the more distressing (and depressing) sections of the series:

"New parents are often warned by old-timers not to bother trying to stop residency fraud because DCPS and OSSE won’t do anything about it.

“Be patient. The DCPS administrators have to work through the list of D.C. government employees who reside in Maryland first,” when it comes to moving up the waiting list, one posted on a listserv for city moms.

“You can have all the documentation you want, sadly, nothing will happen. I have taken photos of one family’s MD license plates at a Deal feeder and at Deal. I have given the names of the students and the address used in the school’s directory. It is well known to kids’ friends that they live in MD but grandparents live in DC. Classic,” another wrote.

One claiming to be a school administrator wrote, “Believe me, not only will the staff not want to act on your information, but we will never forget who ‘helpfully tried to bring it to our attention.’ And if we can make things administratively difficult for your family? We will.”

Those who try to report possible fraud often seemed more fearful than those possibly perpetuating fraud


Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2016/07/06/d-c-not-interested-in-stopping-maryland-fraudsters-stealing-its-schools/#ixzz4Dq19tuch

It's a bad system all around. DCPS should obviously ask for more serious residency documents up front, as some of the suburban school districts do. Arlington and MoCo require parents enrolling children in their schools to sign residency verification forms in which they swear to live in a primary residence. Not a bad idea. Setting the verification bar ridiculously low, then leaving it for parents to report possible fraud is definitely not the way to go. Contact your City Council Member's office if you want a new, more rigorous residency verification system in place. Bitching here won't get us anywhere.

You have to sign the same paper in DC. Read the forms.

http://osse.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/osse/publication/attachments/2016-17%20DC%20Residency%20Verification%20Form.pdf

Part C. Parent/Guardian/Caregiver or Adult Student Sworn Statement of DC Residency

Signature required except if Part B. (C) applies.

I understand that enrollment of the student in District of Columbia public schools or public charter schools, or other schools providing educational services funded by the District of Columbia, is based on my representation of DC residency, including this sworn statement of DC residency and my presentation of residency verification documentation. If this sworn statement is false, I understand that I am liable for payment of retro-tuition for the student, and that the student may be withdrawn from school. Additionally, I understand that, under D.C. Code §38-312, any person who knowingly supplies false information to a public official in connection with student residency verification shall be subject to payment of a fine of not more than $2,000 or imprisonment for not more than 90 days, but not both a fine and imprisonment. I hereby waive my rights to confidentiality of information relative to my residence and understand that the District of Columbia will use whatever legal means it has at its disposal to verify my residence. I also agree to notify the school of any change of residence for myself or the student within three (3) school days of such change.

(Printed Name of Parent/Guardian/Caregiver or Adult Student) (Phone Number)

(Signature of Parent/Guardian/Caregiver or Adult Student) (Date)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is among the more distressing (and depressing) sections of the series:

"New parents are often warned by old-timers not to bother trying to stop residency fraud because DCPS and OSSE won’t do anything about it.

“Be patient. The DCPS administrators have to work through the list of D.C. government employees who reside in Maryland first,” when it comes to moving up the waiting list, one posted on a listserv for city moms.

“You can have all the documentation you want, sadly, nothing will happen. I have taken photos of one family’s MD license plates at a Deal feeder and at Deal. I have given the names of the students and the address used in the school’s directory. It is well known to kids’ friends that they live in MD but grandparents live in DC. Classic,” another wrote.

One claiming to be a school administrator wrote, “Believe me, not only will the staff not want to act on your information, but we will never forget who ‘helpfully tried to bring it to our attention.’ And if we can make things administratively difficult for your family? We will.”

Those who try to report possible fraud often seemed more fearful than those possibly perpetuating fraud."

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2016/07/06/d-c-not-interested-in-stopping-maryland-fraudsters-stealing-its-schools/#ixzz4Dq19tuch

Scary.

Those quotes are all from DCUM, where everyone claims to be whatever they want to be. This site has its advantages, but the anonymous format means that anyone can say anything, and apparently have it reported as fact by "journalists."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, she is a DC taxpayer.

You can have only once legal residence, regardless if one owns property and pays certain taxes in other jurisdictions. Based on all indications, her legal residence is in Maryland.

you pay income taxes in DC you're a DC resident. end of story

+1

Frankly, that's all the District OAG is going to care about in this case. Did she pay income taxes to DC for all the years her kids were enrolled? If yes, she won't face the financial penalties. She may still get kicked out of the schools, but I bet she will actually move into the rental property before it even gets to that.

Do you mean the rental property that likely doesn't exist?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is among the more distressing (and depressing) sections of the series:

"New parents are often warned by old-timers not to bother trying to stop residency fraud because DCPS and OSSE won’t do anything about it.

“Be patient. The DCPS administrators have to work through the list of D.C. government employees who reside in Maryland first,” when it comes to moving up the waiting list, one posted on a listserv for city moms.

“You can have all the documentation you want, sadly, nothing will happen. I have taken photos of one family’s MD license plates at a Deal feeder and at Deal. I have given the names of the students and the address used in the school’s directory. It is well known to kids’ friends that they live in MD but grandparents live in DC. Classic,” another wrote.

One claiming to be a school administrator wrote, “Believe me, not only will the staff not want to act on your information, but we will never forget who ‘helpfully tried to bring it to our attention.’ And if we can make things administratively difficult for your family? We will.”

Those who try to report possible fraud often seemed more fearful than those possibly perpetuating fraud


Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2016/07/06/d-c-not-interested-in-stopping-maryland-fraudsters-stealing-its-schools/#ixzz4Dq19tuch

It's a bad system all around. DCPS should obviously ask for more serious residency documents up front, as some of the suburban school districts do. Arlington and MoCo require parents enrolling children in their schools to sign residency verification forms in which they swear to live in a primary residence. Not a bad idea. Setting the verification bar ridiculously low, then leaving it for parents to report possible fraud is definitely not the way to go. Contact your City Council Member's office if you want a new, more rigorous residency verification system in place. Bitching here won't get us anywhere.

You have to sign the same paper in DC. Read the forms.

http://osse.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/osse/publication/attachments/2016-17%20DC%20Residency%20Verification%20Form.pdf

Part C. Parent/Guardian/Caregiver or Adult Student Sworn Statement of DC Residency

Signature required except if Part B. (C) applies.

I understand that enrollment of the student in District of Columbia public schools or public charter schools, or other schools providing educational services funded by the District of Columbia, is based on my representation of DC residency, including this sworn statement of DC residency and my presentation of residency verification documentation. If this sworn statement is false, I understand that I am liable for payment of retro-tuition for the student, and that the student may be withdrawn from school. Additionally, I understand that, under D.C. Code §38-312, any person who knowingly supplies false information to a public official in connection with student residency verification shall be subject to payment of a fine of not more than $2,000 or imprisonment for not more than 90 days, but not both a fine and imprisonment. I hereby waive my rights to confidentiality of information relative to my residence and understand that the District of Columbia will use whatever legal means it has at its disposal to verify my residence. I also agree to notify the school of any change of residence for myself or the student within three (3) school days of such change.

(Printed Name of Parent/Guardian/Caregiver or Adult Student) (Phone Number)

(Signature of Parent/Guardian/Caregiver or Adult Student) (Date)

It's meaningless if no one is enforcing it.

[Anonymous]

^^ Agree - but there isn't much enforcement going on in Arlington or MontCo either, as the PP speculated. This document gives the city something to stand on if they choose to investigate or enforce. Whether they do is another matter.

[Anonymous]

This one's pretty easy. A simple name search through Google on the KIPP cheater quickly reveals a SE DC address. Surprised Daily Caller didn't do this and check out the property. Oh, that would be expecting them to do some actual research.

Ultimately, I find the Daily Caller's methodology repulsive and below what can be considered legitimate journalism.

However, the behavior of the cheaters is just as repugnant, and needs to be addressed regardless of how it has been exposed.

We can hate the Daily Caller and its methodology AND hate the cheaters as well. The two are not mutually exclusive unless you have some ulterior reason to try to defend one or the other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, she is a DC taxpayer.

You can have only once legal residence, regardless if one owns property and pays certain taxes in other jurisdictions. Based on all indications, her legal residence is in Maryland.

you pay income taxes in DC you're a DC resident. end of story

But if you're a DC resident, then your MD drivers license is a fraud, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, she is a DC taxpayer.

You can have only once legal residence, regardless if one owns property and pays certain taxes in other jurisdictions. Based on all indications, her legal residence is in Maryland.

you pay income taxes in DC you're a DC resident. end of story

+1

Frankly, that's all the District OAG is going to care about in this case. Did she pay income taxes to DC for all the years her kids were enrolled? If yes, she won't face the financial penalties. She may still get kicked out of the schools, but I bet she will actually move into the rental property before it even gets to that.

No. She likely gets DC Taxes taken out but then gets a full refund from DC every year because she claims MD residency on her federal taxes then pays MD accordingly.

I never said "withheld" -- I said paid. try to keep up

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I sometime got my neighbors mail by mistake (mailman dropped the pile in our mailbox instead of their). There were like 30 people using that address!!!

that would be a good red flag. It would be easy for OSSE to cross-reference addresses and at least investigate cases with suspicious enrollment patterns. That would be a start

Good red flag, my foot. How silly. I live in an apartment building where mail sometimes still comes for tenants who moved out nearly a decade ago. In this century, computers hang onto names.

are you really that dense? If multiple families claim the same property in their school registration, that's data that OSSE maintains. It has nothing to do with where one receives mail and everything to do with which address has been registered as a residence.

[Anonymous]

anyone starting to wonder if Jeff planted this story for clickbait?

[Anonymous]

The census estimated there were 38,522 children aged 5-10 in DC in 2015. DCPS and charters reported 38,421 children enrolled in grades K-4 in 2015/16. In 2010, the American Community Survey estimated there were 4,784 DC children enrolled in private K-4. Doesn't capture home schooling. Even with margins of error and declines in private school enrollment since 2010, seems like DC has a couple thousand more kids enrolled in school than are in the census for DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, she is a DC taxpayer.

You can have only once legal residence, regardless if one owns property and pays certain taxes in other jurisdictions. Based on all indications, her legal residence is in Maryland.

you pay income taxes in DC you're a DC resident. end of story

But if you're a DC resident, then your MD drivers license is a fraud, right?

yes. you are required to get a DC license and register your car in DC within a set amount of time. Maybe they need to demand to see that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The census estimated there were 38,522 children aged 5-10 in DC in 2015. DCPS and charters reported 38,421 children enrolled in grades K-4 in 2015/16. In 2010, the American Community Survey estimated there were 4,784 DC children enrolled in private K-4. Doesn't capture home schooling. Even with margins of error and declines in private school enrollment since 2010, seems like DC has a couple thousand more kids enrolled in school than are in the census for DC.

which wouldn't be a problem if they paid out of state tuition as legally stipulated. The problem lies in failure to cede lottery position behind DC residents, and of course to actually pay the required tuition which rarely ever gets remitted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, she is a DC taxpayer.

You can have only once legal residence, regardless if one owns property and pays certain taxes in other jurisdictions. Based on all indications, her legal residence is in Maryland.

you pay income taxes in DC you're a DC resident. end of story

But if you're a DC resident, then your MD drivers license is a fraud, right?

yes. you are required to get a DC license and register your car in DC within a set amount of time. Maybe they need to demand to see that.

If you don't park on the street and don't require RPP it's unlikely to ever be an issue.