@Rob Roy quick refresher.
average public school cost for one child is 4000 ( low balling...some can be much higher ) Catholic or private is 6000 +
you kids went public for 12 multiplied by three for the 3 educated men you have is
144,000 low balled.
property tax rate is as high as 2.38% in New Jersey, and as low as 0.28% in Hawaii. Lets put you somewhere in the middle @ 1.144% with the value of your home being 500,000. meaning 5,720 yearly for your property tax
Total coming in at
143,000 if you paid for 25 years ( 1000 dollars still owed after 25 ).
That is a break down cost of your public school versus what property tax you paid. Do we need to add the other things your property tax covers ? Again thanks for paying your taxes for the service you used.
Question just for curiosity. How many time have you or your sons used a public library ?