School of Thought

If you aren't raising children in San Francisco, this story might not seem like a big deal. But if you or someone you know has young 'uns in Baghdad by the Bay, then you know that the public school selection process is one of the single most important issues in town.

What's the real estate connection? The school board's decision to grant partial neighborhood preference could well have some impact on property values for homes near the most desirable schools. Of course, if the board had granted full neighborhood preference, the impact would have been huge.

In Marin, schools are a driving force behind property values. In San Francisco, schools are often a driving force behind people moving to Marin. Will the board's decision stem this tide? Time will tell. Did the board's decision only serve to further segregate SF's public school or did they not go far enough? We'd love to hear readers' thoughts (real estate-related or otherwise) on this very divisive issue.