Tom Curtis to Margaret Porter re: Billirakis' pay deal

From Tom Curtis, Jan. 31, 2006

Hello Margaret,

I guess it would only seem natural to think he would have his contract moved the highest salary schedule in the state. Having been the OEA president, he could have been working on this deal for a few years. It sure has a bad smell to it, even though the Auditor of State says it is perfectly legal and the STRS has sanctioned it and let it stand.

It would seem that our STRS management could not possibly come up with anymore ways to benefit them, but they get excellent advice from the many consultants they hire and pay lavishly for this service. After just giving non-investment staff $4 million in bonuses from 2002-2003, Aon consultants on January 19th, asked the board to increases wages for all non-investment staff. Some would receive as much as a 20% increases if this is approved.

Thank you for your support in obtaining signatures in your county. We can only hope we are able to elect people that will see the STRS management for what they have been to us, parasites that have lived exceptionally well, while mishandling our money and not seeing to it that their stakeholders had what they promised them. There is honor among thieves. It has been shown that they certainly do not honor us for providing them with a dedicated flow of income.

Take care, Tom Curtis

From: Margaret Porter
Sent: Monday, January 30, 2006
Subject: Re: Questions/Reply from Perry Local Schools-Billirakis -Open Records Act- They forgot to answer question # 2- Wonder why?

Just to let you know. Perry Local schools is in Lake County , north of Cleveland. It is or was the highest paying school district in Ohio. Margaret Porter

From: Molly JanczykSent: Sunday, January 29, 2006 7:47 PM Subject: FW: Questions/Reply from Perry Local Schools-Billirakis -Open Records Act- They forgot to answer question # 2- Wonder why?

Thought Mike was taking money from Perry Co to pay for days at STRS. This schedule of payments seems to list a per day rate when at STRS. $30,000+ in benefits and $70,000+ in salary aside from NEA salary.

The law needs changed. One should not be allowed to be on full salary and benefits NEVER having taught one day in a system.