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Mr. Roberts is, of course, correct. But it is discouraging that some naive voters accept the notion that new schools a) are better schools, and b) increase property values. Could someone please identify a public high school in New England that saw the overall quality of instruction improve as a function of having a new building? They do not exist. The 'quality' of a school is a function of the parental education level and family support that surrounds that school, not the other way around. As for property values, the argument is simply comical. Some of the highest property values in the state, per square foot, are found on Providence's East Side. This is the home of Hope High, where 94% of students do not meet expectations in Math. High income buyers did not exactly flock to South Providence upon the completion of PCTA. Locally, property values in Cowesett, Governor Francis, and Warwick Neck have held up quite nicely despite measurable outcomes that can only be described as embarrassing at Tollgate and Pilgrim. Do not believe the myths. New schools do not equal better schools, and they certainly do not result in higher property values. They do, however, result in immediately higher taxes.

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