State Superintendent Tom Luna handed out $271,000 in staff bonuses this year — calling it an effort to retain senior staff and continue an ongoing department rewards program. The bonuses came from salary savings, and are not unique to Luna’s State Department of Education. For several years, legislators have encouraged elected officials and state agency heads to use salary savings to reward and retain employees. The Education Department bonuses fall into two categories. For the last three years, Luna has awarded leadership bonuses to up to one third of his staff, rewarding employees for achieving key benchmarks or doing work that went above and beyond required duties. This cost the department about $120,000 per year/Jennifer Swindell, IdahoED NEWS. More here. (AP File Photo)

Question: Are. You. Kidding. Me?