Letter to Dr. Zelman: Time to replace Puckett

To: Dr. Susan T. Zelman,

State Superintendent of Public Instruction

From: Kathie Bracy

Re: Dr. Steven Puckett

Date: July 14, 2006

Dear Dr. Zelman,

I wish to call your attention to your representative on the STRS Board, Dr. Steven Puckett.

I would like to know if you have provided any kind of personal oversight regarding his performance on the Board. If you haven't, then you need to. If you have, then I am extremely disappointed in your performance standards as a member of this Board.

I have been closely observing the Board for about two years. There is a saying that goes “Do something; lead, follow or get out of the way.” It is time for Dr. Puckett to get out of the way, because I see absolutely no effort on his part to lead or follow in any manner beneficial to retirees.

Furthermore, his overall attitude is abominable. Watching him, one gets the impression he would rather be anywhere except inside the STRS building, particularly the sixth floor Board Room.

When Jim Petro and Betty Montgomery’s representatives sat on the Board, no apparent oversight was provided, and STRS sank to the lowest, most shameful period in its history. Retirees will pay forever for the corruption that was rampant under the Retirement Board of that era, in terms of dollars and shortened lives.

To continue allowing Dr. Puckett to represent you will indicate that either (a) you do not provide oversight or (b) you simply don't care.

There are thousands of retirees who DO care, as their lives depend on the decisions of that Board, and it is imperative that only the best people be selected to serve. We deserve better than what Dr. Puckett has to offer.

Please rescind Dr. Puckett’s appointment as your representative on the STRS Board as soon as possible and find a more suitable replacement; someone who is truly interested in helping the membership, and preferably one who is a member of STRS him/herself. If you care, you need to show it.

Thank you.

Kathie Bracy

37.7 year STRS retiree

STRS Board observer