[AMSS]

Article is behind a paywall but here is what is listed

92% of property including house is in Waterbury
8% of yard in Middlebury
Parents say realtor told them the kids would be eligible for Middlebury schools.
$210 paid in real estate taxes paid to Middlebury
$4,875 paid in real estate taxes to Waterbury
Car taxes paid in Waterbury
Wife registered to vote in Middlebury and family taps into Middlebury sewer line. Middlebury tax collector says family has never paid the sewer taxes though.
Middlebury blight officer went to investigate extremely messy property and found it to be under Waterbury jurisdiction
Waterbury blight officer investigates and property is cleaned up
Region 15 (Middlebury and Southbury) school board rules 10 and 12 year old kids not eligible for their schools; kids live in Waterbury jurisdiction.
Parents are fighting for kids to stay but say they will drop case if kids are accepted into Waterbury magnet school until they graduate. State Waterbury schools are underperforming.
Parents want legislature to transfer entire property to Middlebury.

My thoughts:
1. When we were looking at houses fifteen years ago, we found one property that straddled two towns and were told that the kids go to school in the town where house is located. Either their realtor lied (if parents are being honest) or they didn't do their homework. The bulk of their taxes going to Waterbury should have a dead give away.
2. Pay the tuition (if accepted) to send kids to Region 15 or suck it up and go to Waterbury schools. They'd be at Tinker or Carrington most likely which are good. And schools don't underperfom; students underperform....anyone who puts up with my posts know how I feel about stereotyping city schools.
3. I love a guy who thinks his kids are too good for the city schools yet keeps his yard a pig sty, doesn't pay the bills and wears a "drunkagen" t-shirt for a family portrait.

Your thoughts?

[kidyankee764]

I'm mostly with you.

In this case, I get they want to keep their kids in Region 15 schools. They're high performing and offer the sheltered environment many parents want for their kids. Uprooting them from the school seems wrong morally, since they've likely become established in their circle of friends and extra curricular activities. But, the parents didn't do their homework when they purchased. It's amazing people making the biggest purchase of their lives don't look into everything.

When we were looking at homes years ago, we looked at one that was on the town line. We would have to pay taxes to both communities and it seemed like a headache. After looking at GIS mapping, we walked. It wasn't worth it. Even with the home we bought now, which is not on a town line, I spent hours researching the land around my house to ensure we wouldn't run into any issues. I contacted the Health department, town hall, etc, you name it. I figured if I'm spending hundreds of thousands on a house. A few hours of phone calls/research is a small price to pay.

It sucks because, unfortunately for these homeowners, their home value will drop now that they're redistricted to Waterbury schools. It's nobody's fault but their own.

[willow wind]

Houses in which the lot straddles two town/city property lines are not at all unusual in CT. Sometimes the house itself is in two towns.

There are a few houses on the Norwich/ Bozrah border that have the property line running straight through the home. Legally, the kids go to school in the jurisdiction which contains the bedrooms or the majority of each bedroom.

Those people in Waterbury don't really have a choice. The kids are going to have to go to school in Waterbury. The legal questions have been asked and answered before.

[RunD1987]

I mean they should of realized it before hand. As far as Waterbury school's you know my stance on it.

[AMSS]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

I'm mostly with you.

In this case, I get they want to keep their kids in Region 15 schools. They're high performing and offer the sheltered environment many parents want for their kids. Uprooting them from the school seems wrong morally, since they've likely become established in their circle of friends and extra curricular activities. But, the parents didn't do their homework when they purchased. It's amazing people making the biggest purchase of their lives don't look into everything.

When we were looking at homes years ago, we looked at one that was on the town line. We would have to pay taxes to both communities and it seemed like a headache. After looking at GIS mapping, we walked. It wasn't worth it. Even with the home we bought now, which is not on a town line, I spent hours researching the land around my house to ensure we wouldn't run into any issues. I contacted the Health department, town hall, etc, you name it. I figured if I'm spending hundreds of thousands on a house. A few hours of phone calls/research is a small price to pay.

It sucks because, unfortunately for these homeowners, their home value will drop now that they're redistricted to Waterbury schools. It's nobody's fault but their own.

Headache describes a situation involving both towns perfectly. There was nothing wrong with the other town when we looked, but the taxes and services going in two different directions just wasn't worth it.

There was another part of the article where the younger child was accepted to a Waterbury magnet already (WAMS goes grades 6-12). I wonder if these parents knew what they were doing all along, though. I've seen/heard enough people who try to put their kids in schools they aren't zoned for to be fairly cynical on this.

[AMSS]

Originally Posted by RunD1987

I mean they should of realized it before hand. As far as Waterbury school's you know my stance on it.

Did you go to them?

[RunD1987]

Originally Posted by AMSS

Did you got to them?

Catholic school growing up. I used to work with young ones from the school's on the area and a few friend's worked in the school system. Some good moment's some hair pulling moments.

Many of the school's in Waterbury are over crowded with dilapidated school's in need of an overhaul or new buildings. Outside of that a few school's have a bad rep for being violent and bullying going on. One school took on a new principle recently thankfully is a no non sense person.

Many of the kid's cam be disrespectful and unruly only a few teachers mostly season can handle the bunch.

Unfortunately kid's are entering middle school not able to speak English or know how to tell time off a standard clock.

Granted their are more bad apple school's, but still some good apples in the bunch.

Bunker Hill and Driggs are two amazing elementary schools in Waterbury.

[7 Wishes]

How do houses end up with borders going thru them? Doesnt whoever builds them in the first place plan ahead?

[willow wind]

The builder looks at the lot. If it's an approved building lot , then he builds the house on the lot with consideration as to there building setback lines are, where the septic system can fit, etc. As to where kids will go to school, that's not his problem - lol

Yes, to me and you it is ridiculous to build a home with a town line going through it, but there is a buyer for every house and someone will buy it.

[7 Wishes]

Originally Posted by willow wind

The builder looks at the lot. If it's an approved building lot , then he builds the house on the lot with consideration as to there building setback lines are, where the septic system can fit, etc. As to where kids will go to school, that's not his problem - lol

Yes, to me and you it is ridiculous to build a home with a town line going through it, but there is a buyer for every house and someone will buy it.

I get that but i'd think the local governments would not approve it just to avoid all the complications.....