Duane Tron: About Dave

From Duane Tron, Saturday, September 09, 2006

Dear All,

Dave Speas and I have been friends and professional colleagues for over 30 years. Dave has served as a school board member with Clark-Shawnee Local Schools since he retired from the classroom in 1994. He has also served eight years on the Springfield City-Clark County JVS School Board. He has served as president of the Clark County RTA for many years.

Dave has operated a faith-based after-school program for at-risk children in grades 1-4, in Springfield/Clark County, since 1998. I came on board as principal for the program five years ago. Three years ago we partnered with Springfield City Schools and recently the Clark County Department of Job and Family Services. We are supported by Central United Methodist Church where our program is based. We also receive funding and support from Freedom Road Ministries, The Nehemiah Foundation, Elderly United, student volunteers from Wittenberg University and many more. Our funding comes from a 21st Century Grant through ODE and other sources. We presently serve 125 at-risk children in grades 1-3, at a given time, and last year served 234 children from Springfield City Schools. We feed the children when they arrive each day and provide support in reading, math, physical development. We provide counseling and a safe environment for the children. The impact of this program has demonstrated how successful it has been. This program was the idea of Dave and he was the one who designed and implemented the program during the past nine years. The cost to parents? FREE!

Where is this going? Dave is one of the most caring, professional, and hard working people I have ever known. He is selfless, caring, compassionate, and empathetic. he has given everything he can to support Ohio's retired teachers over the years. To even question him, and his motives, or commitment too retirees, is not acceptable. He has given more of his time, talents, personal finances (always donated), and energy than about anyone I know!

Dave is the consummate negotiator who always tries to create win/win situations as opposed to confrontation. We are close friends who have worked together in the Springfield Area Emmaus Community, an ecumenical religious group, from all faiths in Springfield and the surrounding region.

He never does anything to promote himself or to build his ego. When he says something you can take it to the bank! He has never worked on behalf of teachers out of personal motives or possible selfish gains. This is very unlike so many of our elected officials across this state and the past leadership at STRS and those serving at OEA.

Everything he does for ORTA is about serving teachers! He has and continues to work on behalf of ALL retirees and actives. I wrote this for those of you who don't know Dave on the same level as me and haven't had the privilege to know him for as many years as I have! When he was appointed to the STRS Board we agreed that I would run the school program for our kids and he would handle STRS and ORTA business. I anchor the school so he can work on behalf of retirees and actives. This is why I haven't been able to be physically present for activities since we started trading off duties four years ago.

We consult on a lot of issues and discuss strategies and plans to help retirees when we are together at school. Dave always places the interests and welfare of educators first and always has! There isn't anyone who has worked any harder to try and resolve the HC crisis at STRS. After all we both have non-teaching spouses so we know the pain and problems that retirees are facing because we are dealing with them ourselves.

Dave is pragmatic enough to know that we aren't going to find immediate fixes to problems that have been allowed to fester for over a decade at STRS. I felt it time to step up and let others know who Dave Speas is and what he has done for retirees. I don't let people slam my friends and especially those who are committed to serving others as much as Dave.

Anyone who has any questions about Dave and doesn't want to ask him personally can contact me any time and I will clarify any questions you might have! Dave and I don't profess to have ALL of the answers to every situation, and problem, but there is never any doubt as to our level of commitment to anything we do. We give 100% to everything we do or we don't bother doing it!

This is why it was a blow to retirees when Dave wasn't re-elected to the STRS Board. Some people think that compromise is a sign of weakness! It is not! Sometimes you give a little to gain a lot more in the long run. We both operate from the standpoint, and with the philosophy, that it's better to get a third of a piece of pie than to get NO pie! Sometimes you take a step back and then take two to three steps forward!

As I have offered many times there are some of us who have worked diligently using all resources available to us to try and bring about positive change! I have indicated many times that I have been very busy behind the scenes and this is how I prefer to help our cause. I don't believe in putting all of my eggs in one basket, and as an old coach, I don't think it wise to always lay your game plans out for everyone to see. It takes people at all levels, using a variety of resources, to bring about change. One or two people can't reform the mess we are dealing with by themselves! We each bring special talents to the fight! This is what will help us prevail in the long-term. I realize that some of us might not be alive to see the changes, a return to a STRS Board committed to serving the needs of retirees and promoting the welfare of others ahead of themselves. We are moving in the right direction but the solutions aren't going to be immediate. I sometimes get very impatient but understand what is at stake! This is why I remain an eternal optimist through all of this! I know what is just and right will prevail in the face of those who took care of themselves at the expense of those they were elected to serve and represent!

Any other questions? Any other questions as to where Dave lines up on the issues? Just think if we had him, John, and Dennis on the board right now?

Duane Tron, Immediate Past President & Legislative Liaison The Champaign County Retired Teachers Association

&

Friend and colleague of Dave Speas