NYC Principal Under Fire for Allegedly Using Fake Address to Avoid Tuition Fees

A Brooklyn school principal, Samantha McElhaney John, is facing scrutiny for allegedly falsifying her home address to enroll her daughter in a higher-performing public school, thereby avoiding thousands of dollars in tuition fees. The case, which raises serious ethical and legal concerns, has sparked widespread debate about fairness in public school admissions.

Allegations Against Samantha McElhaney John

John, the principal of PS 327 Dr. Rose B. English in Brownsville since September 2023, is accused of listing a Brooklyn address instead of her actual residence in Roosevelt, Long Island, to enroll her daughter at Brooklyn Landmark Elementary School in Bedford-Stuyvesant. This school, located just ten minutes from her workplace, has a reputation for strong academic performance.

New York City’s Department of Education (DOE) requires non-resident students to pay tuition, which can amount to $5,425 per year for general education students and as much as $48,392 for special education students. By allegedly misrepresenting her home address, John may have unlawfully bypassed these fees.

Suspicious Address and Enrollment Process

Public records indicate that John’s daughter’s address was listed as a residence on Thomas S. Boyland Street in Brooklyn, where Jessica Mott lives with her two children, both of whom attend PS 327. When questioned, Mott refused to confirm whether she had allowed John to use her address.

New York City DOE mandates that parents provide at least two forms of proof of residency—such as a lease agreement or a utility bill—to enroll a child in a school. However, it remains unclear how John managed to verify her daughter’s Brooklyn address during the enrollment process in July 2023.

Legal and Ethical Concerns

Legal experts argue that falsifying an address to gain school admission constitutes fraud and, in some cases, larceny. The ethical concerns are even more pronounced given John’s role as a school principal.

Tim DeRoche, co-author of When Good Parents Go to Jail, a study on address-sharing, highlighted the conflict of interest in John’s actions. “It’s certainly a conflict of interest for a public-school administrator to engage in that kind of activity at the same time that they’re enforcing the rules against other parents,” DeRoche told The New York Post.

While DeRoche’s watchdog group, Available to All, advocates for equitable school access and opposes prosecuting parents for address fraud, he expressed little sympathy for education officials who exploit the system for personal gain.

Performance Disparities and Possible Motivations

It remains uncertain whether John enrolled her daughter at Brooklyn Landmark for convenience or because of its superior academic reputation. Students at Brooklyn Landmark consistently score above the citywide average in state math and reading exams. In contrast, PS 327—where John serves as principal—performs well below the city average.

Moreover, Roosevelt public schools, where John actually resides, have long been plagued by poor academic performance. The New York State Education Commissioner took control of the district in 2002 due to safety concerns and low achievement, with little improvement over the following decade. In 2022, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli identified the Roosevelt district as being under “fiscal stress.”

Uncovering the Scheme

According to reports, John arrives at PS 327 each morning with her daughter, who wears a bright orange Brooklyn Landmark uniform. The child reportedly waits in the principal’s office until John takes her to Brooklyn Landmark before returning to her own school. This daily routine raised suspicions about the child’s actual residency, ultimately leading to the allegations against John.

Potential Consequences and Broader Implications

If found guilty of address fraud, John could face legal repercussions, including potential job loss and financial penalties. The case underscores a broader issue in urban education: the lengths to which parents—regardless of socioeconomic background—are willing to go to secure better educational opportunities for their children.

While many parents have been prosecuted or even jailed for similar infractions, the public is keenly watching how the DOE and legal authorities handle John’s case, given her influential position within the education system.

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Conclusion

Samantha McElhaney John’s case is a stark reminder of the disparities in public education and the ethical dilemmas faced by those who work within the system. As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether she will be held accountable or whether this will further fuel debates on educational equity and the fairness of school zoning policies.

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