A group of educators, teacher advocates and lawmakers recently chosen by the governor to ensure Florida wins $700 million in federal money for education is recommending that the state implement a revised form of teacher performance pay.

And, says a member of the group, the decision was unanimous.

“I think that sends a powerful message to the governor that this is a good plan,” said the group's chairman, Alberto Carvalho, Superintendent of the Miami-Dade County School District

Florida is set to collect $700 million for its schools, the U.S. Department of Education announced Tuesday, naming the Sunshine State one of 10 winners in the second round of its $4.35 billion Race to the Top competition.

Gov. Charlie Crist enthralled Florida's teachers unions when he vetoed Senate Bill 6. Whether he impressed the Obama Administration remains to be seen.

Gov. Charlie Crist's veto of Senate Bill 6 didn't do Florida any favors scholastically or economically, business leaders say.

"We're very disappointed. It's critical that our students are on the cutting edge. Doing the same thing simply nets the same results," said Nancy Stephens, executive director of the Manufacturers Association of Florida.

"We need to challenge our students and we can't allow teachers to be complacent either."

Why do I say that?

Because -- except for the colossally expensive class-size amendment -- the Florida Education Association hasn't been on board for a single significant reform since the mid-1990s, when education in the Sunshine State ranked in the nation's bottom quartile.