how to eke out more per-student funding

Defund the Catholic school system. At least here in Ontario.

Then Ontario could be just a bit above-average, instead of middle of the pack.
By halving the lobby group's claims, I figure that'd save c. $100M /yr in Ontario.
In case you didn't notice, we are in a funding crunch.

We are also on the receiving end of a United Nations reprimand for favouring Catholics over all other denominations and religions.