This Isn't No Game Show

From the LVRJ: Despite overcoming the 11th hour drama with its teachers union over merely applying for a Race to the Top grant, the Clark County School District failed to make the list of 61 finalists for the $400 million federal program.
The Washoe County School District, Nevada's second-largest school district behind Clark County, didn't make the cut either for the four-year grants, which range from $5 million to $40 million each.
The Carson City School District is the only Silver State applicant still competing for the U.S. Department of Education money to be used to personalize students' education.
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said Monday that 15 to 25 winners will be announced before the end of the year out of 372 applications received in November.  http://www.lvrj.com/news/clark-county-school-district-falls-short-on-race-to-the-top-grant-180924741.html
The Obama administration is treating this Race to the Top money like a game show.
Simply put, if a school district meets the qualifications, then they should be rewarded with the money- not make a competition out of it.  Tell us how much money is involved and then the school districts that qualify split the money based on several factors.
And is it a coincidence that the two darkest (skin colors) school districts in the state are denied the money and one of the whitest is still in the running?