I have long said that if a house the size of my house were in Vestavia, it would be worth twice as much.  Simply because of the school system.  Look at the 3br/2ba houses in Mountain Brook selling for $400000.  Mine's bigger and worth half that much.  My lot is twice the size of any in Mountain Brook in the $400000 price range.
 
It's ALWAYS been about property values.  As individual schools go downhill, people move out, put their houses on the market.  Contrary to Gary McBay's interpretation, young families ABSOLUTELY look at the school in the neighborhood when deciding on where to live.
 
Why do you think Deer Valley Elementary's zone is so popular?  They have an EXCELLENT school.  Popularity translates into $$$$$.  Why do you think there is so much development away from old, central Hoover?  Even the Mayor wouldn't live in central Hoover.  No, he chooses Lake Cyrus.  Exclusive.  Away from the "riff raff".
 
Bluff Park's property values are high PRECISELY because of the quality of Bluff Park Elementary.
 
It's ALWAYS been about property values.  But as long as the mayor's and the council's and the BoE's property values remain high, the rest of us have to fend for ourselves.
 
The school system is the single biggest thing that attracts young families.  The council never has figured this out.  They still don't get it.  And they won't be around anymore when the lasting long-term effect of their lousy school board appointment decisions becomes apparent.  So they don't care.

112, I think that you are absolutely correct, but that you missed the point of ILuvHoova's post.  The point was that the quality and reputation of the schools in a community have a direct impact on property values.  Mountain Brook, Vestavia and Homewood have higher property values than Hoover due in great measure to the school systems.  There is valid concern that if the Hoover School System begins to suffer because of all the hanky-panky and footsie being played by the BOE, then property values could indeed be affected.
 
The bottom line, in any case, is that it's time run all the scoundrels out and start fresh.

Agreed. I didn't miss the point, I just did not articulate my response as well as you did. Thanks.