Nobody can argue that a good day of work shouldn’t be rewarded.

But under the current economic times, with cuts to services and increases in costs — including tuition, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system has paid out nearly $300,000 in bonuses to its top staff members.

The performance bonuses — which is state money from all Minnesotans — total $287,500 and went to 35 top staff members and school presidents for work done last year. Most bonuses range from $3,000 to $12,000. MnSCU chancellor James McCormick received a $32,500 bonus.

MnSCU officials say criteria for the bonuses include improvement in student retention rates and an increase in the number of students who take math and science courses.

Leaders of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees have opposed the executive bonuses and say they shouldn’t be paid out when many Minnesotans face layoffs.

MnSCU officials defend the policy and say it’s important to reward leaders who achieve their performance goals during tough economic times.

However, we must agree with AFSCME leaders and others who say the bonuses are a slap in the face to students who may see tuition increases and workers who will experience layoffs.

Clearly, now is not the time to pay bonuses. Instead, a modest pay rate might be warranted to staff who provide great leadership and achieve performance goals.

Does our opinion on this issue sound familiar?

It’s because we wrote a similar editorial in 2010 criticizing the $415,875 in bonuses paid to the top 35 administrators in MnSCU. Last year, McCormick received a $40,000 bonus.

And also in 2009 we criticized the system for spending $287,500 in bonuses, with McCormick receiving $32,500.

The $12,000 average of these bonuses, excluding McCormick’s, represents the annual wage for many Koochiching County residents.

We again say that is almost obscene that while these bonuses are being paid, many people are losing their jobs and homes, and curtailing furthering their education, because of the downturn in the economy. You can see it across the nation, as well as in Minnesota and Koochiching County.

With the state's continued cloudy economic forecast, MnSCU officials must reconsider this policy.