Here in Canada, though it's more hidden, it's just as bad. I attend trustee meetings routinely and was horrified during one meeting to hear them turn down a motion that would have provided wireless high speed Internet access to three small schools in the area, the extension of a current project. The motion was declined in favour of providing funding towards playground improvements at a local school - improvements that, it was admitted during the meeting, were not truly needed, but were just an attempt to "have a better playground" than another school. Be glad that at least the money in your case was going towards a venture that can, though it's unlikely, lead those kids to a career of some kind.