School officials in Guilford County and across the state are discussing whether their school districts and the state should apply to participate in a new U.S. Department of Education school improvements program. It is funded by $4.35 billion in federal stimulus money.

The Obama administration calls this new program “Race to the Top,” and it includes a number of school reforms, including improving low-performing schools, implementing data systems and giving merit/bonus pay to classroom teachers and administrators who excel at their jobs.

Whether the state and local officials should press ahead vigorously in pursuit of this money, we aren’t sure. We urge Mo Green and the Guilford School Board to closely inspect the program’s guidelines, local financial requirements and any of the strings that probably are attached before deciding whether Guilford should participate in a state push for the funding.

But whether or not this competitive funding is sought by the state, and whether or not it is awarded, local and state officials should consider adopting some form of the merit/bonus pay idea. For far too long in North Carolina, teacher and school administrator pay has been based on educational degree and years of service. Excellent teachers receive the same pay as mediocre and bad teachers. There’s little incentive, financially, for quality teachers to remain in the classroom, continuing to inspire and stimulate students to achieve.

We all want students to race to the top. Reforming the ancient pay system in order to compensate teachers for their classroom achievements would help.