Why, exactly? The conservative viewpoint would be that abolishing public schools would create a huge free market for private schooling, which would drastically drive down the cost. Saving money on property taxes would be a nice bonus. Genuine question, do you consider yourself a conservative, or just post at FR because of the volume of crevo discussions?
I have been a member since 99 and posted my first evolution article after Ben Stein lost his mind. I am a conservative, but I understand that our educated population is our greatest asset. Without public schools we would have a class system develop like Britain's in the 19th century. Poor kids simply wouldn't go to school at all. The quality of your education and your opportunities in life would depend on how much money your family had.
I believe in vouchers, but I believe in public schools too. The American dream would be meaningless without the upward mobility offered to smart poor kids through the public school system.