Voter apathy is to blame.
Via CNS News
The New Hampshire town of Merrimack recently approved a budget of $70,408,919 for a community that reports to have 3,895 kids enrolled in its public schools.
That comes to $18,076.74 per student for the annual budget.
According to the New Hampshire Department of Education, Merrimack schools (pre-school, kindergarten, elementary, middle and high schools) reported having a total of 3,895 students enrolled as of February of 2015.[…]
Reportedly voter turnout was low in Merrimack on the ballot that included the school budget. The Union Leader newspaper reported on April 14, “With about 18,000 registered voters in Merrimack, 2,166 ballots were cast on Tuesday.”