Poll: Is opting out of Race to the Top the right decision?

Many school districts across Long Island say the cost of implementing the federal Race to the Top initiative outstrips its monetary awards.

Some are opting out, rejecting the funding to free themselves of the obligation.

State and federal officials have long touted the program, a hallmark of President Barack Obama's education policy aimed at boosting struggling schools and rewarding reform and innovation.

Did schools opting out of the Race to the Top funding make the right decision?