Of course it is. Try finding the basis for federal spending on education in the first place and explaining to 'conservatives' the national government is not supposed to be in the business of education
It ain't. NCLB erodes states rights to manage their public schools. However, national defense is # 1 issue at this point and military recruiters has the right to be there as long public schools are recieving federal money.
If parents do not approve of this, it is simple, take your children to private schools, or if it's too expensive. Then home school the kids. But of course they are not willing to give up one salary that pays for extra BMW convertible, cable tv, vacation trips to Europe, etc.