Ask Our Agent with Karin Diana, Founder of The Home Collective
Montclair families are reeling from news of an $18 million budget deficit in the public schools. It’s sparked hard questions: how did this happen, what cuts are ahead, and perhaps most pressing for prospective buyers: should families still move here?
To get perspective, we turned to Karin Diana, team leader of the Home Collective at Compass Montclair, who is both a longtime local resident and a parent of two Montclair graduates. Below, she offers candid advice for families weighing a move.
Transparency First
“I think it’s important to be upfront and transparent and inform my clients as best as possible, try to get ahead of the curve on that conversation. Especially now with an $18 million deficit in the school budget, it’s important for families to really have a very good understanding of a community that they are choosing to move to.”
The Value of Community Beyond Rankings
“Personally, I have a broader perspective of the value of community. As a parent of two children raised in Montclair and now thriving adults, I definitely have an appreciation for the broader value of a community beyond just its schools. While academic achievement and systems are important, I do believe that a child’s education extends much further beyond the classroom.”
Is Montclair Right for You?
“When choosing a place to live, I encourage families to consider not only the school district, but also the kind of community they want their children to be a part of. Montclair is truly a village. It’s rich, it’s diverse. It nurtures growth in many different forms. I don’t believe school ranking should be the end-all of any family’s decision…If families only value high-ranking school districts, then Montclair might not necessarily be the right community for them, and that’s okay.”
Montclair’s Strengths
“Montclair does well with its dynamic magnetized school system and choice, which most school districts do not have. The academic performance reflected in standardized testing is outperforming most state averages, indicating that it remains very strong. I have a lot of confidence in Superintendent Ruth B. Turner. I think that she is highly committed to, in her words, being responsive and responsible to the needs of the community and to systemic change and getting us back on track.”
Final Word
“This community is so profoundly committed to public schools, and that community interest leads to a lot of parental advocating and local pride. Because of that interest and involvement, it tends to put pressure on elected school board members, the township, and the district to maintain quality.”
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