I took a little different approach when my son was going thru local public school, which I’d always considered better than most anyway. I “rode herd” on the teachers, the admins, the school board all the years he was in it. I read the textbooks, I went to the meetings, and I always helped with homework and straightened out the miscellaneous stuff that goes sideways. I took the lead in recalling a school board that was going crooked and 20 years later I still keep my eye on them to make sure the kids are getting a fair deal. There were some early retirements because some staffers came to realize they were going to have to step up their game. My sons teachers learned to fear teaching something wrong or even weakly because I never allowed it to stand. As time went by I had a great deal of support among other parents who also wanted a good education for their students.
That’s the difference-—not just whining and bellyaching. Being specific, doing the homework to make the complaint legitimate, and slugging the desk of the responsible guy to make sure he’s looking at you when you tell him what the problem is. Been there. Done that. SEMPER FI
However, it is likely that overall, you achieved a better result.
Your child's schoolmates received a better education, and higher quality professionals were introduced and kept in the system.
Out of curiosity, can you assess the political/philosophical attitude of the population of the district, and the years involved?