My husband worked for the local school district during our first six years of homeschooling. He was often told, though not by fellow teachers, that we were taking money away from the district. It seems to me that the school has replaced the church for many in smaller districts. They pour themselves into it -while their kids are there, anyway, and are protective of it. The accusations came more often from political conservatives. I’m sure the leftists just said it behind his back...until they lied and schemed to finally get him to resign.
He always answered that we still pay taxes yet it cost the district nothing to educate our kids.
It becomes a social center in many communities when you realize Scouts are often held there, Pre-K and after school programs are common, community meetings held there.
It has become the replacement for many churches, while too many churches cut youth programs due to liability concerns.