Gavra:
You wrote, “don’t forget that your husband has a chiyuv to teach his children. The school does not.” You are half right. The father of the children has the chiyuv of chinuch (not to exclude the mother, but that’s for another discussion). The school absolutely does have a chiyuv, and that is the only justifiable reason for the existence of any mosdos of chinuch. Moreover, the mosdos are being paid big money (big for the parents footing the bill), and their obligation is to provide the service that they obligated themselves to by accepting the contract with thge parents. What is angering to parents is when the yeshivos and schools have no problem blaming parents for anything and everything, but when a rebbe or teacher falls short, they defend it with all sorts of lame excuses. And no one has raised the abusiveness exhibited by some rebbes, teachers, and menahalim. No, gavra, the world of chinuch is imperfect (as we all are), and to throw all responsibility on parents is inaccurate, ignorant, and unfair.
Is it fair when the tuition contract obligates a parent to pay money for a service, but does not obligate the school to provide it? I’d like to see that tested in a court one day.
As you yourself agree, the school only has the responsibility as much as there is a contractual obligation in exchange for funds received. The school is no different than your gardener with whom you have a contract that both parties enter into willingly.
The service days that the school agrees to provide is determined by the SCHOOL, not the parent. You would lose in a court, both secular and Bais Din.
Now you bring up a completely different point regarding the quality of the service provided. I can only speak for myself that I have been suprisingly pleased with the Rabbaim and Morahs that my children have had. If you feel that you are not getting your money’s worth, you should certainly cancel/nonrenew your contract with the school. Your renewal shows that you believe that the service provided is adaquate.