Education does not seem to fall within the “natural monopoly” description: no scarcity (albeit that quality varies). The NYC School system has been a mess since well before I moved into the city in 1967 – born in 1956 you can tell I was a 7th grade student at the time. I had my skull fractured at JHS 118 on the upper west side and it was private school thereafter for my sisters and me.

But, a common level of educational achievement is necessary to defeating fear-mongering demagogues. Hence, I see no point in designating the NYC schools as a monopoly.

It just does seem like any bidding is involved. Plenty of money goes to franchises that enjoy government protection. There are many examples of companies that receive such protection in return for other things, e.g. financial support during the election.

Start with Hume, Locke, Rousseau, and then Dewey, and then the Preamble. You’ll discover why an educated public is essential to democracy. Even Socrates argued in ‘The Republic’ that the voting class must understand their society. There are some basic services that any [modern] civil society should inarguably provide if they want to survive and “compete.”

Taxpayers could save about $12 of that $15 billion if they eliminated adminstator salaries! Perhaps we need more education, and less “schooling.” I’d go for that.