The $40 Billion Money Pit

The $40 Billion Money Pit

From Lost Debate by The Branch

May 27, 2026 · 40 min

About this episode

Ravi and journalist Marc Novicoff discuss the high costs and challenges facing New York City's public education system.

New York City spends over $40,000 per student — more than almost anywhere in America — yet its schools deliver painfully average results while enrollment continues to collapse. Ravi sits down with journalist Marc Novicoff to unpack the exploding costs, shrinking classrooms, special education loopholes, and political dysfunction driving the crisis. They explore how billion-dollar programs, empty school buildings, and untouchable bureaucracy are reshaping public education in America’s largest city — and why almost nobody in power seems willing to confront it. _______________________ Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 201-305-0084⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LostDebate Follow Ravi at @RaviMGupta Notes from this episode are also available on Substack: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/ Read more from Ravi on Substack: https://realravigupta.substack.com Follow The Branch at @thebranchmedia Listen to more episodes of Lost Debate on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lost-debate/id1591300785 Listen to more episodes of Lost Debate on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7xR9pch9DrQDiZfGB5oF0F Listen to Where…

People in this episode

Host: Ravi

Guest: Marc Novicoff

Topics covered

  • education
  • public policy
  • school funding
  • political dysfunction
  • special education
  • New York City schools

Keywords

  • New York City
  • education funding
  • public schools
  • political issues
  • special education loopholes
  • school enrollment

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Lost Debate

Places: New York City, America

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