Determine School System (Lawrence, Andover: lawyer, house, purchasing)

[JustSomeInfo]

Just moved to Mass and purchsed a House that is half in on city and half in another(Land). Trying to figure what School District my kids can attend? I called both and one had a definite yes while the other couldn't give me an answer? I called the Superintendants office and got bounced around the extensions. Anybody have a answer? --Thanks in Advance.

[KellyCrash]

You didn't mention anything specific enough that could help us help you figure it out. We need names of towns streets or something here. This isn't the psychic hotline.

[CaseyB]

Which municipality are you supposed to be paying property taxes to?

[shiver]

He's probably paying taxes to both town (for each parcel of land). What town is used for your official postal address? This is just a guess, but your kids should definitely be able to attend the school in the town where the actual house is located. I'm going to assume that is your mailing address. But you may have a choice to send the kids to the school district where the land is since it's part of your primary residence.

Do you have one deed or two deeds?

[JustSomeInfo]

Lawrence/Andover Line

Contacted the DESE legal department and was told the following;
The determination of what school district your child attends is based off what percentage of your residence resides in each Town (i.e whichever is > 50%) I pay taxes in both Towns at an 80/20 split so the 80 is where I must send my children. Apparently their is legal precedence and is a very hot Topic. I also spoke to the Superintendant who said it is determined by where my child sleeps the majority of nights( well can't they sleep in either ?) and went on to say they must attend Lawrence. I live on the Lawrence/Andover border and Andover (20% side) is where I want to send my children. As of now I put them in private and will be paying a nice chunk of change to do so. My question to the board is should I take this a step forward and hire legal cousel?

[wmass]

Pick the better school system and try to enroll him there.

[Bublegum]

Originally Posted by wmass

Pick the better school system and try to enroll him there.

Hmm...Andover or Lawrence. That 's a tough decision!

[holden125]

Originally Posted by wmass

Pick the better school system and try to enroll him there.

Originally Posted by Bublegum

Hmm...Andover or Lawrence. That 's a tough decision!

The whole issue appears to be that the OP is not being given a choice. Andover is not allowing the enrollment, saying, "well, you live in Lawrence. 80% of your property and 80% of your tax bill is in Lawrence."

To the OP: As to whether there's any point in hiring a lawyer, it would depend on how airtight those precedents they cited are. If there are court decisions clearly saying that your kids are entitled only to go to school in the town where you pay the majority of the taxes (50% +), there's not much a lawyer can do.

If you can track down a moderately priced education lawyer in the area, you might ask for a free consult and inquire as to whether there's any chance the Andover school district will work something out instead of fighting it. But you'd almost certainly have to pay to send the kids to Andover schools.

[gf2020]

I think I would have resolved this issue prior to purchasing the house.

[CaseyB]

Originally Posted by gf2020

I think I would have resolved this issue prior to purchasing the house.

Yes. Or maybe the OP could have moved here from a different state with different citeria and made assumptions, or perhaps been misled. I wonder what the MLS listing said as far as school district.

I imagine the Andover school district has an ongoing problem with Lawrence residents trying to register their kids there with phony addresses, so they'd be strict. It doesn't sound like they ever gave a diffinitive answer in this case, judging from the first post.