It was the mention of Washington DC that raised my ears. We all know that the rich leaving DC didn't lower the amount of money being spent there. If I recall correctly, they spend the highest per capita in the US. Not that that has helped them.
You are correct. Our public schools are lavishly funded. If I recall correctly, however, about 40% of our total school budget goes for special ed. We are one of the many places where special ed has become a fiscal black hole.
Not that that's the only problem with our schools ....