Anonymous
05/11/2018 12:40
Subject: Re:WaPo takes deep dive into DCPS residency fraud
Anonymous wrote:How sad that there aren't enough talented students in DC to fill up this school. So many DCPS high schools have enrollments the size of smaller elementary schools in other jurisdictions.
That's a flawed premise -- many talented students don't pursue specialized performing arts school. Same is true in suburbs even among those willing to pay tuition.
Anonymous
05/11/2018 12:31
Subject: WaPo takes deep dive into DCPS residency fraud
They will NEVER kick these kids out. I would be completely shocked if they did. The kids will stay pending further investigations that will go on for years. I just think this is the way Ellington has been since it was founded. Heck Dave Chapelke talks about living in Silver Spring and attending Ellington in his comedy routines!
Anonymous
05/11/2018 12:19
Subject: Re:WaPo takes deep dive into DCPS residency fraud
Anonymous wrote:How sad that there aren't enough talented students in DC to fill up this school. So many DCPS high schools have enrollments the size of smaller elementary schools in other jurisdictions.
You don't know that. They turn away students every year.
Anonymous
05/11/2018 12:19
Subject: Re:WaPo takes deep dive into DCPS residency fraud
Anonymous wrote:I'd like to know how they did this investigation of the entire student body, and why they can't replicate it at other schools. I expect that Ellington's fraud is larger than other schools, due to its history and specialty, but doing the full scrub at a few other schools would either shine a light on the problem or put the questions to bed.
OSSE was given more money for the 2017-18 audit to look deeper for residency fraud. They looked at a random 20% of all records at all schools, and if there were significant errors in that sample, they expanded and looked at 100% of that school's records.
That's how they surfaced the other 111 non-Ellington cases this year.
Anonymous
05/11/2018 12:17
Subject: Re:WaPo takes deep dive into DCPS residency fraud
How sad that there aren't enough talented students in DC to fill up this school. So many DCPS high schools have enrollments the size of smaller elementary schools in other jurisdictions.
Anonymous
05/11/2018 12:16
Subject: Re:WaPo takes deep dive into DCPS residency fraud
I'd like to know how they did this investigation of the entire student body, and why they can't replicate it at other schools. I expect that Ellington's fraud is larger than other schools, due to its history and specialty, but doing the full scrub at a few other schools would either shine a light on the problem or put the questions to bed.
Anonymous
05/11/2018 12:13
Subject: Re:WaPo takes deep dive into DCPS residency fraud
Anonymous wrote:From OSSE's press release https://osse.dc.gov/release/osse-uncovers-suspected-residency-fraud-review-school-enrollment-records
..."OSSE’s investigation found that many student files did not have the documentation required to prove bona fide District residency. Of the 570 student files OSSE investigated at Ellington:
•304 students are deemed to be residents. These students were determined to be residents of the District through a review of the evidence gathered during the investigation.
•46 students are deemed to be non-residents with existing tuition payment agreements with the District.
•164 students are deemed to be non-residents without sufficient documentation to prove residency. These students either did not have sufficient documentation or a non-residency determination has been made as a result of the preliminary investigation. These students do not have an active tuition agreement with the District.
•56 students are still under investigation by OSSE, as the information obtained about their actual place of residence is inconclusive after the investigation. OSSE will give these families a final opportunity to prove their District residency.
In some of the non-resident findings, students had residency documents that, upon first review, appeared to be sufficient and adequate documentation of bona fide District residency. However, upon deeper investigation, they were deemed to be insufficient or fraudulent.
OSSE is referring all findings of non-residency at Ellington to OAG – a total of 164 cases. OSSE is not directing families with students at Ellington or at other schools to withdraw students immediately, as individual families may attempt to resolve their non-residency issues with OAG for a limited time. However, all students must annually demonstrate their residency to re-enroll in District schools, and non-residents must pay all tuition owed by July 15, 2018.
Corrective Plan for Ellington
OSSE is issuing a corrective action plan for Ellington and DCPS to require a review of staffing and internal controls, a plan for staff independent of Ellington to oversee residency verification and enrollment for the 2018-19 school year, and re-training of all DCPS registrars. OSSE will also require verification of 100 percent of all residency documentation at Ellington for the next five years at the time of the annual enrollment audit. OSSE will also provide all of its case documentation and investigative outcomes to OAG and the Office of the Inspector General for further investigation of Ellington staff and administration.
Additionally, as part of OSSE’s annual enrollment audit of other District and Public Charter Schools, 111 families were identified as non-residents who were subsequently unable to prove residency. Those families are being referred to OAG."
Across DCPS: 111 Families - maybe 250 kids?
Across Ellington - 164 students! I hope DCPS goes after all of them for the multiple years of tuition X 3
Anonymous
05/11/2018 12:13
Subject: Re:WaPo takes deep dive into DCPS residency fraud
There needs to be a companion story on how many of the honest 46 non-residents are up on their tuition payments.
And some exploration of whether the tuition amount is appropriate given the schools operating costs.
And some exploration of whether the tuition amount is appropriate given the schools operating costs.
Anonymous
05/11/2018 12:10
Subject: Re:WaPo takes deep dive into DCPS residency fraud
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:https://twitter.com/maustermuhle/status/994956526040252416
Basic numbers:
570 students
304 DC residents
46 tuition paying non-residents
164 non-residents (no tuition)
56 inconclusive (no tuition)
Assuming most of the inconclusive are non-residents, you get:
53% DC residents
8% non-residents paying tuition
39% non-residents not paying tuition
What an absolute disaster.
Bowser, taunting critics at the grand reopening of Ellington in August:
“Let ’em talk about how much it cost. You’ll see; it’s worth it.”
I think a lot more people are going to be talking about that now, dummy.
https://currentnewspapers.com/duke-ellington-school-unveils-flashy-pricey-new-campus/
Considering that the District is about to get a $2,000,000 pay day from parents of kids who didn't send in their out-of-state tuition money and kid out the freeloaders I think she was right.
You don't seriously think the District is going to be able to recover those assessments? Have you heard of bankruptcy?
my guess is greater than 50% of these families have government jobs (Federal or state) These will all be able to establish a payment plan.
Anonymous
05/11/2018 12:07
Subject: Re:WaPo takes deep dive into DCPS residency fraud
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:https://twitter.com/maustermuhle/status/994956526040252416
Basic numbers:
570 students
304 DC residents
46 tuition paying non-residents
164 non-residents (no tuition)
56 inconclusive (no tuition)
Assuming most of the inconclusive are non-residents, you get:
53% DC residents
8% non-residents paying tuition
39% non-residents not paying tuition
What an absolute disaster.
Bowser, taunting critics at the grand reopening of Ellington in August:
“Let ’em talk about how much it cost. You’ll see; it’s worth it.”
I think a lot more people are going to be talking about that now, dummy.
https://currentnewspapers.com/duke-ellington-school-unveils-flashy-pricey-new-campus/
Considering that the District is about to get a $2,000,000 pay day from parents of kids who didn't send in their out-of-state tuition money and kid out the freeloaders I think she was right.
You don't seriously think the District is going to be able to recover those assessments? Have you heard of bankruptcy?
this is about deterrence -- it's not about righting a fiscal wrong
Anonymous
05/11/2018 12:06
Subject: Re:WaPo takes deep dive into DCPS residency fraud
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:https://twitter.com/maustermuhle/status/994956526040252416
Basic numbers:
570 students
304 DC residents
46 tuition paying non-residents
164 non-residents (no tuition)
56 inconclusive (no tuition)
Assuming most of the inconclusive are non-residents, you get:
53% DC residents
8% non-residents paying tuition
39% non-residents not paying tuition
What an absolute disaster.
Bowser, taunting critics at the grand reopening of Ellington in August:
“Let ’em talk about how much it cost. You’ll see; it’s worth it.”
I think a lot more people are going to be talking about that now, dummy.
https://currentnewspapers.com/duke-ellington-school-unveils-flashy-pricey-new-campus/
Considering that the District is about to get a $2,000,000 pay day from parents of kids who didn't send in their out-of-state tuition money and kid out the freeloaders I think she was right.
You don't seriously think the District is going to be able to recover those assessments? Have you heard of bankruptcy?
Anonymous
05/11/2018 12:05
Subject: Re:WaPo takes deep dive into DCPS residency fraud
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:
Isn't Ellington's primary mission, since it was founded, to educate students on color in the arts, regardless of whether they just live in DC?
Please show some evidence of this claim. Everything I have seen has said that Ellington was always a DCPS school. I think that, by its nature, means that it is a school primarily for DC resident students. Non-resident students paying tuition in DCPS schools are supposed to be a small group who are enrolled in DCPS for specific limited reasons that have been vetted by administrators.
Exactly. Because they "play the oboe" or some other bullshit reason.
Meanwhile we've been stressing over how we make our child's application more attractive (should we have her audition on a less traditional instrument? Should we have lessons in oboe?) so she can get in.
Anonymous
05/11/2018 12:01
Subject: Re:WaPo takes deep dive into DCPS residency fraud
From OSSE's press release https://osse.dc.gov/release/osse-uncovers-suspected-residency-fraud-review-school-enrollment-records
..."OSSE’s investigation found that many student files did not have the documentation required to prove bona fide District residency. Of the 570 student files OSSE investigated at Ellington:
•304 students are deemed to be residents. These students were determined to be residents of the District through a review of the evidence gathered during the investigation.
•46 students are deemed to be non-residents with existing tuition payment agreements with the District.
•164 students are deemed to be non-residents without sufficient documentation to prove residency. These students either did not have sufficient documentation or a non-residency determination has been made as a result of the preliminary investigation. These students do not have an active tuition agreement with the District.
•56 students are still under investigation by OSSE, as the information obtained about their actual place of residence is inconclusive after the investigation. OSSE will give these families a final opportunity to prove their District residency.
In some of the non-resident findings, students had residency documents that, upon first review, appeared to be sufficient and adequate documentation of bona fide District residency. However, upon deeper investigation, they were deemed to be insufficient or fraudulent.
OSSE is referring all findings of non-residency at Ellington to OAG – a total of 164 cases. OSSE is not directing families with students at Ellington or at other schools to withdraw students immediately, as individual families may attempt to resolve their non-residency issues with OAG for a limited time. However, all students must annually demonstrate their residency to re-enroll in District schools, and non-residents must pay all tuition owed by July 15, 2018.
Corrective Plan for Ellington
OSSE is issuing a corrective action plan for Ellington and DCPS to require a review of staffing and internal controls, a plan for staff independent of Ellington to oversee residency verification and enrollment for the 2018-19 school year, and re-training of all DCPS registrars. OSSE will also require verification of 100 percent of all residency documentation at Ellington for the next five years at the time of the annual enrollment audit. OSSE will also provide all of its case documentation and investigative outcomes to OAG and the Office of the Inspector General for further investigation of Ellington staff and administration.
Additionally, as part of OSSE’s annual enrollment audit of other District and Public Charter Schools, 111 families were identified as non-residents who were subsequently unable to prove residency. Those families are being referred to OAG."
..."OSSE’s investigation found that many student files did not have the documentation required to prove bona fide District residency. Of the 570 student files OSSE investigated at Ellington:
•304 students are deemed to be residents. These students were determined to be residents of the District through a review of the evidence gathered during the investigation.
•46 students are deemed to be non-residents with existing tuition payment agreements with the District.
•164 students are deemed to be non-residents without sufficient documentation to prove residency. These students either did not have sufficient documentation or a non-residency determination has been made as a result of the preliminary investigation. These students do not have an active tuition agreement with the District.
•56 students are still under investigation by OSSE, as the information obtained about their actual place of residence is inconclusive after the investigation. OSSE will give these families a final opportunity to prove their District residency.
In some of the non-resident findings, students had residency documents that, upon first review, appeared to be sufficient and adequate documentation of bona fide District residency. However, upon deeper investigation, they were deemed to be insufficient or fraudulent.
OSSE is referring all findings of non-residency at Ellington to OAG – a total of 164 cases. OSSE is not directing families with students at Ellington or at other schools to withdraw students immediately, as individual families may attempt to resolve their non-residency issues with OAG for a limited time. However, all students must annually demonstrate their residency to re-enroll in District schools, and non-residents must pay all tuition owed by July 15, 2018.
Corrective Plan for Ellington
OSSE is issuing a corrective action plan for Ellington and DCPS to require a review of staffing and internal controls, a plan for staff independent of Ellington to oversee residency verification and enrollment for the 2018-19 school year, and re-training of all DCPS registrars. OSSE will also require verification of 100 percent of all residency documentation at Ellington for the next five years at the time of the annual enrollment audit. OSSE will also provide all of its case documentation and investigative outcomes to OAG and the Office of the Inspector General for further investigation of Ellington staff and administration.
Additionally, as part of OSSE’s annual enrollment audit of other District and Public Charter Schools, 111 families were identified as non-residents who were subsequently unable to prove residency. Those families are being referred to OAG."
Anonymous
05/11/2018 11:58
Subject: WaPo takes deep dive into DCPS residency fraud
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We live next to Ellington. It's a line of MD-plated cars before school, after school, and during evening performances or post-rehearsals.
All the kids who actually live in DC take the bus and/or walk. I see them around the neighborhood and at the bus stops. The MD kids get dropped off and picked up in nice cars. The parents don't even bother to pull over and instead double-park and block the streets.
"Entitled" doesn't even begin to describe these folks. It's absurd.
Go to Jack Evans and ask him to take some steps. Make some proposals that are reasonable:
Jack - for the 164 students that are not residents, can DCPS freeze the students account / not issue transcripts until the issue is resolved?
When your child can not apply to college / transfer to your local school you approach the situation differently.
And BS on it is hurting the child - these kids are old enough to know what they are doing is wrong.
OR - since the student allocation funding for the school is based on count - and the student count is wrong - how about cutting the budget for Ellington next year to what the DC resident count is
DC Student allocation for next year for Ellington is almost $15K a student. I am sure if they had $2M less to spend the school leadership would take residency seriously.
in contrast, Wilson gets $7,000 per student. Maybe Wilson should get the money the Ellington is stealing. As a whole, the school is doing a lot with the money it has.
Anonymous
05/11/2018 11:56
Subject: Re:WaPo takes deep dive into DCPS residency fraud
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:https://twitter.com/maustermuhle/status/994956526040252416
Basic numbers:
570 students
304 DC residents
46 tuition paying non-residents
164 non-residents (no tuition)
56 inconclusive (no tuition)
Assuming most of the inconclusive are non-residents, you get:
53% DC residents
8% non-residents paying tuition
39% non-residents not paying tuition
What an absolute disaster.
Bowser, taunting critics at the grand reopening of Ellington in August:
“Let ’em talk about how much it cost. You’ll see; it’s worth it.”
I think a lot more people are going to be talking about that now, dummy.
https://currentnewspapers.com/duke-ellington-school-unveils-flashy-pricey-new-campus/
Considering that the District is about to get a $2,000,000 pay day from parents of kids who didn't send in their out-of-state tuition money and kid out the freeloaders I think she was right.