Per-student funding actually tends to be higher in urban school systems that have lower performance as measured by test scores. Suburbs with "good" schools don't necessarily have especially high per-student public school spend.
Added: Equalizing spending might transfer some money to poor rural communities but it would also shift money from lower-income households in most cities to relatively tony suburbs.
Added: Equalizing spending might transfer some money to poor rural communities but it would also shift money from lower-income households in most cities to relatively tony suburbs.