The problem with tile is the grout and fact that it is an uneven surface. The grout collects mold and mildew. 24x24 acrylic tiles are always an option as they are modern. I wouldn't mess with 12x12 personally.
Granite is falling out of fashion... fast. If you follow coastal trends, it was out of fashion 3 years ago. Man-made solid surfaces (other than Courian) are in. See Silestone, CaesarStone, Zodiac.
My counter space isn't that big. The alternative to a vibrator table is attaching hand sanders on the corners of your form table and letting them run for a few hours.
The current trend is to make a form off site and pour the top upside down. This creates a perfectly smooth surface from the start and reduces sanding/grinding time significantly. The biggest challenge is finding 4 friends to help you lift it into place.
They typically only connect via splitter the ones you are using. This way they can charge a trip fee to hook up the rest. If you can crack the box you can either connect it or add a splitter yourself.
I lived in Asherton of Dublin when I was a younger buck. It is near Dublin Kaufman High. Very nice if you want a more peaceful neighborhood. The property manager can be a complete bitch, but she is manageable.
I used to do milk challenges every few months at OSU. I could never do it (of course), but a team shotputter that lived in my dorm drank the first gallon, kept it down for an hour (as contingent with the official rules) then drank another half so he could throw up.
Point 3: I don't think anyone is arguing that schools could manage money better. However, when it comes down to paying $400 more in taxes a year to support the Westerville Schools that have kept my property value relatively stable over the past 3 years, I say fuck yes.