[jbooth]

Public schools as institutions? What's that even mean, that when you add up 1,000 salaries it's a lot of money? Ok, so what?

Teachers and school administrators aren't taking home megabucks -- if they were, that per student figure would be a lot higher. Typically, administrative expenses and busing will be included in that figure but capital expenses are probably not (but the building may be already paid off anyways).