Originally Posted by
tabitha
We're homeschoolers in a city where this is a very hot topic.
Our property taxes are nearly twice those in the surrounding area. They are so high that our mortgage underwriters couldn't believe it when we bought this house. We reap lots of rewards, though, and I don't mind the high taxes. We have an awesome, free compost system (everything! soiled paper, bones, all food scraps, yard waste) and once a month we get to pick up as much of the finished compost as we can carry. We have a fast response for street repair. We have loads of bike boulevards. And of course, there are the schools.
I went to one of them in high school (actually, my mother lied about our address! I am pretty glad she did because otherwise I might not be here typing... we lived in one of the most dangerous districts at the time) but beyond that I have no idea what they are like. But I know Berkeley residents are awfully proud of them. And I know we have a pretty serious out-of-area enrollment issue. People who are against it say it is causing overcrowding since the school only increases size or adds new classrooms based on expected census data and birth rates, but we have enrollment rates that don't add up. Since I don't use the school system I have no opinion on the matter.
There is a nearby city with incredibly rich schools that has like zero enrollment fraud, and that is because they have pretty hard-to-fake enrollment criteria. But our city has few requirements.
I don't feel like it is unethical. People can't relocate to this city. It is unbelievably expensive to rent or buy. The only reason we got to is we bought at the lowest moment and we bought a dump to fix up. People were so happy for us for getting into this city for the schools. I had to disappoint and say, we homeschool. I have issues with the public school system which have nothing to do with funding.
All that said, there is a process here where you can get a permit to attend out of district schools. I don't know how hard it is, but it might be worth trying. Then your kids wouldn't have to lie and you'd feel more secure. And to the person who suggested that if you can afford to shuttle your kids to and fro you should be able to afford to relocate... I don't see how that is based on reality at all. I made my commute in high school on public transit. I bought monthly passes and it was cheaper than the gas if someone drove me. We were in no position to relocate.
ETA: It isn't the difference between a small house and a megamansion. It is the difference between being able to find a place to live and simply not being able to.
Just had to post to say
to this line! What an assumption that was that everyone who can commute to another town can afford to buy a house.