In case you missed it on Friday, DCPS Chancellor Michelle Rhee turned down a potentially sizable performance-based bonus, according to a report from the Post’s Bill Turque. Rhee also turned down a year-end check — which can be as high as ten percent of her $275,000 annual salary — last year. By refusing the money, Rhee definitely earns some political points in a time of tightening budgets. But she also avoids a potentially messy debate about whether or not her performance actually deserves a bonus: recent test scores have been promising and Rhee has done some big stuff this year, including releasing new teaching standards, launching a new DCPS website, and overseeing increased enrollment. But the Chancellor has had a rough year with regards to teacher layoffs and personal controversy. Of course, knowing that she’s got six months of severance in the bank if Mayor Fenty (or anyone else) wants to replace her probably makes turning down bonuses a little bit easier for Rhee.