School Funding

I just read another one of those screeds (to which I will not bother link) on what a vain hope it is that drives us to put money into poor schools with the purpose of making them better.  There is just enough truth in this one to keep it alive, but I never get over wondering: if money is such an awful thing, why do rich people want so much of it, and in particular, for their children?    Wouldn't it be an act of lovingkindness just to cut 'em off at the age of eight and let them sell newspapers or shine shoes like their Horatio Alger ancestors?  Oh, right--no newspapers, but you get my point.