Woodbridge: 89 Non-Woodbridge Students Are Attending Our Schools

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — Woodbridge Twp. says they have identified 89 students who are illegally enrolled in the school district’s 25 elementary, middle and high schools.

They also said this Wednesday, April 17 that they have begun legal and/or administrative actions to remove the students from the classroom and recoup the cost of tuition and penalties.

“Residency fraud that results in the registration of students who do not legally reside in Woodbridge Township not only cheats parents and taxpayers that play by the rules and pay their school taxes, but it also seriously impacts the Quality-of-Life for Township residents,” said Mayor John McCormac. “The Woodbridge School District Residency Fraud Task Force will continue to investigate and take administrative and/or legal actions against the parents or custodians who fraudulently register children as legal residents of Woodbridge Township.”

“It is our responsibility to ensure that taxpayer resources are used to maintain our schools, and that Woodbridge Township residents benefit from those resources. Our attendance department does a good job ensuring all of our students are residents of Woodbridge Township," said Woodbridge Superintendent Bob Zega.

However, he couldn't help but add: "The fact that people want their children to attend our schools even if they live outside our Township boundaries speaks to the outstanding reputation of our school district."

The Woodbridge School District Residency Fraud Enforcement Task Force reviews complaints and conducts investigations involving residency fraud, illegal registration of students and truancy.

They started working at the start of the 2018/2019 school year, and reviewed 1,870 cases (Sept. 1, 2018 – March 31, 2019) which resulted in the identification of 89 students illegally attending Woodbridge Township District schools. Administrative and/or legal complaint action(s) were initiated, which resulted in the withdrawal of the students from the attendance rolls and recouped more than $100,540.00 in unpaid tuition.

The Woodbridge Township School District maintains strict registration requirements which demand proof of residency be presented prior to student registration. Proof of residency includes documentation that evidences property ownership, tenancy or residency in Woodbridge Township (deed, lease, mortgage or tax record) or other documentation which demonstrates personal attachment to a residence in Woodbridge Township when registering a student. The district also requires a parent or guardian to sign a form acknowledging that falsifying residency is a third-degree crime in New Jersey, punishable by up to $7,500.00 in fines and/or up to five years imprisonment.

Township residents are encouraged to report suspected residency fraud and related student registration issues to the Office of School Security Residency Fraud Hotline at: 732-726-2328. All complaints will be investigated and all information will remain confidential.