Recent studies — and common sense — tell us that the quality of public schools has a direct correlation to property values.

Several studies indicate that homeowners would experience a reduction of 2 to 10 percent of the value of their home should standardized test scores drop by 10 percent in public schools. Specifically, the Rand Corporation cites studies that have found that a 1 percent higher average reading or math score in Chicago and Massachusetts was associated with a 1 percent higher property value.

Other studies link the value of homes to the rating of the local school. Values for homes close to elementary and middle schools rated as good or excellent were 20 to 32 percent higher than similar homes located close to schools rated as average or poor. Many Realtor websites link to school ratings sites for just this reason. School Match, a national firm that rates K-12 schools, has identified Columbia Public Schools as one of 28 school districts in Missouri and among 16 percent of districts nationwide to earn the What Parents Want Award. The Columbus, Ohio-based firm ranks school systems in a national percentile format and makes comparisons possible for parents, homebuyers, corporate leaders, policymakers, educators or Realtors using its services.

The announcement by IBM on May 17 to bring a data center to Columbia certainly has a connection to the quality of our public schools and the quality of our workforce. Tim Shaughnessy, IBM senior vice president, cited Columbia’s “strong sense of public-private partnership, a competitive business model and availability of a talented workforce” as the three factors that attracted the global information technology giant to mid-Missouri.

Good public schools and post-secondary education make it easier for companies such as IBM to manage the transfer of dedicated employees. Good schools also play a vital role in attracting and retaining the necessary quality workforce. Clearly, these are two of the primary reasons IBM chose Columbia. In fact, the Brookings Institute found that 72 percent of business leaders reported workforce quality as the most significant factor when deciding where to locate.

Vibrant, progressive communities have a very tangible impact on economic health. The complex symbiotic relationship of the many sectors of a community requires attention and nourishment. A UCLA study of the Charlotte-Mecklenberg School District indicated that the proximity of schools to amenities such as shopping and parks was also key to the development of the neighborhood and the success of the school. As such, failure in any sector of the community impacts all other sectors. However, it is the interdependency of the system that makes it strong. The system wins or loses as a whole, and thus each sector must be supportive of the others. In Columbia, the impacting entities continue to work to maintain positive relationships. Frequent and frank dialogue is critical in moving the community forward in unity.

Strong schools make strong communities, and strong communities make strong schools. This is the season of graduation in which we celebrate the accomplishments and future of our students. Let’s also celebrate the accomplishments and future of Columbia.