Schools are a system with limited competition that exists, for example, in defense industry where there is often 2-3 or even one supplier. In such system,
(1) suppliers develop strategy to divide market such that each of them is a monopoly. In defense, companies focus on vertical integration in one weapon system. Schools similarly teach you “derech” instead of stam mishna and halocha so that you can’t switch to a different “derech” without losing face
(2) the customer strategy in defense (used successfully during Reagan times) is to create as much competition is possible by subdividing tasks, using two suppliers for the same item …
So, how do you develop stronger negotiating position (may vary by school and place, of course). Here are my ideas, what are yours?
– send kids to two different schools so that each of the school knows that you can move remaining kids to the other school. You can ask for a discount for moving kids there
– change schools with some frequency
– be prepared to go to a different school or move to another town if negotiations fail.
– be prepared to online/home school for a year, maybe create a group ready to do that
– be known in the community as a decent person whose opinion is valued. What would people say if you changed schools?!
– maintain a community school that is cheap and teaches minimal standards for many groups without pushing ideology and is flexible in letting parents add things according to their preferences and interests. So, then people from many schools could use this school when they have problem with their own. It may not be the best, but beats moving to another town.