Letters: What kind of math makes a $3.1 million loss a win?

Whoever is responsible for the $3.1 million “slipup” by Richland School District 1 should be fired or given a promotion, depending on how you spin it.

The state Department of Education says the district can keep the $3.1 million in federal funds but that expenses already incurred must be paid using non-federal dollars since a required report was not submitted on time.

District 1 Superintendent Craig Witherspoon says needy students will really be receiving more funds than if the district had not made its mistake. However, the district and taxpayers are still short $3.1 million.

A similar $1.4 million mistake with Title I funds also occurred last year. Go figure.