Many parents are speaking out about Hillsborough County School’s proposed boundary changes, but it’s not just families with children in school concerned, some residents say this is an issue that affects everyone in Hillsborough County, with or without children, because property values could take a hit.

Tampa realtor Amy Greenfield said home values are higher in neighborhoods assigned to better schools, and people will pay more to be in an area with “A” rated schools.

“A lot of things effect value. For people in homes who pick locations based on schools, rezoning changes their decisions. Do they sell? Do they move to another a-rated district? Do they consider paying for private school? There are a lot of factors that affect where people choose to live,” said Greenfield.

The North Bon Air neighborhood has come together to fight the proposed changes. One resident, Adam Cheslock, said he and his wife just purchased their home in April, and when they were home shopping, one thing was at the top of their list—the school zone.

“It was Grady, Coleman and Plant, and that’s why we looked here. If that was not the boundary here, we would have not even chosen to look in this area,” said Adam.  

In Hillsborough County’s proposed changes, students in this neighborhood would be re-zoned from “A” rated middle and high schools to “C” rated schools.  

“I’ve been notified by my neighborhood, not really anyone else except for my neighborhood, going around letting us know that there is a plan that possibly the middle school and high school boundaries could change in the very near future,” said Cheslock.

Cheslock says, having just recently moved in, he is worried what may happen to his home value, and now, what may happen when it’s time for his little one to go to school?

“It’s a bit unsettling and quicker than I thought it would happen, I thought I may have a little more of a choice in the matter but I think that’s why a lot of us are getting together and let our voice be known and doing the things we can,” said Cheslock.