Not so much conspiracy as... people want the best for THEIR kids. And though they don't admit it, the best for THEIR kids involves less competition.

So a situation where THEIR kids can go to school with other people like them, and where they have the best of everything (and there's a limited size pie here - redistributing more evenly means that their kids have less advantages!) and they can pull in lots more funds when needed to pay for extra - that's to their best.

And if some poor kids get screwed, well, it's too bad, but their families should care more, their parents should be more involved, like in *our* school.