A majority of St. Pete Times readers are apparently on the chincy side. At least the ones who respond to our readers' poll. On Monday, in connection with a story on student performance pay, The Times asked: "If the state were to reward students for passing the FCAT, how much should the prize be?"

The result: 14 percent said $500, 32 percent said $1,000 and 53 percent said … (drumroll please) … a measly $100. (Puh-leeze! As one ninth grader told The Times for the story, she makes more than that babysitting). Of course, this was a far cry from a scientific poll. The Times only offered three different responses. Only 161 votes were cast. And it didn't ask a perhaps more important question - which is, is there public support for student performance pay, period? Anybody care to weigh in?

-Ron Matus, state education reporter