Jim Kimmel to Conni Ramser: For your own protection, at least read it before you vote on it!

From Jim Kimmel, September 16, 2006

Subject: Gov memo to Johnson & Zelman: Will the same standard be used at STRS?

Ms. Ramser:

Please read the memo below written by Governor Taft. He is advising Ms. Zelman and Mr. Johnson who has been recently appointed to the STRS Board to replace Ms. Fisher.

Although this was written in 2002 it still holds true and shows that Governor Taft believes that contracts should be studied, read, discussed and then approved ONLY when deemed to be appropriate and prudent. ( this is NOT rocket science!) How can you be a responsible board member if you give our money away without knowing what you are doing with it?

Don't you realize that you could end up like the other indicted and convicted board members if you vote in ignorance.? No one is smart enough to understand some of the issues which come before the board unless they study them carefully -- not just listen to Damon's thumbnail sketch of a contract or other decision.

YOU will vote -- not he. Just as one human being to another -- I really hope you will look out for yourself by voting in an informed manner. When I was a history teacher I told my students to be sure and vote when they reached 18 -- but be an informed voter. We had mock elections, discussions, group research projects. I worked very hard to make it a meaningful experience and it was -- even covered in the local paper, etc.

NOW AS A RETIREE I SEE SOMEONE WHO IS SPENDING MY RETIREMENT MONEY WITH NO APPARENT CONCERN WHATSOEVER. I THINK THAT IS WHAT GALLS ME THE MOST. TOO BAD YOU WERE NOT IN MY CLASS WHEN WE DISCUSSED BEING AN INFORMED VOTER. I really wonder what your grade would have been. If I gave you a grade for your board performances I am afraid it would be rather low so far.

All I know is that voting without proper deliberation, study, and DOCUMENTATION will come back to bite you. And please read Dr. Leone's 13-page report which you said you would not read. Many foolish people have ignored history and regretted it! AS I AM SURE YOU HAVE HEARD BEFORE, THOSE WHO IGNORE THE PAST ARE DOOMED TO REPEAT IT -- as in Sidaway and others.

James O. Kimmel

STRS Retiree

-------

GOVERNOR'S MEMO ON SCHOOL FACILITIES COMMISSION

COLUMBUS (June 11, 2002) - Governor Bob Taft today sent the attached memo to the members of the Ohio School Facilities Commission.

M E M O R A N D U M

TO: Thomas W. Johnson, Director C. Scott Johnson, Director Dr. Susan Tave Zelman, Superintendent

FROM: Bob Taft, Governor

DATE: June 11, 2002

RE: Ohio School Facilities Commission

Over the past five years, the Ohio School Facilities Commission has played a critical role in the improvements made to our public education system. As you well know, Commission projects in 130 Ohio school districts have included the design, construction or completion of more than 300 buildings, with a total value of more than $4 billion. These numbers represent substantial and significant improvements to our schools and, ultimately, to the education of Ohio's school children.

Despite these successes, in recent days, the Commission and its procedures have come under attack. While I do not agree with the allegations that have been lodged against the Commission and its Executive Director, I can appreciate the underlying concern for careful and considered decision making by the Commission, as with any state agency. And, while I question the validity of the recent court opinion, I recognize the need to follow the intent of the General Assembly when it created the Commission and defined its duties and authority. In the end, what is most important is to ensure that the Commission proceed with our ambitious school building program to provide modern, safe classrooms for all the children of Ohio.

Therefore, I ask that the Commission undertake immediate changes that will provide more direct oversight and approval of Commission projects. I ask the members of the Commission to take the following actions:

a.. adopt rules for the internal management of the Commission; b.. review and, if appropriate, ratify all contracts approved or authorized to date by the Executive Director; and c.. review all pending and future Commission contracts and, if appropriate, approve such contracts by majority vote.

I hope that, by taking these actions immediately, we will end any controversy regarding the Commission's work so that we can get on with the work of rebuilding Ohio's schools.

c: Representative Kerry Metzger Representative William Hartnett Senator Michael Shoemaker Senator William Harris