Jim N. Reed to Susan Zelman: Puckett must go

From Jim N. Reed, Sept. 4, 2006

Subject: Steve Puckett's ineptitude and misrepresentation of ODE

Dr. Zelman, by title I am assuming you have a significant responsibility to the educators, prospective, active and retired, of the state of Ohio to protect their profession from undue embarrassment and hardship. At present, we are experiencing both and part of the issue is Steve Puckett, your representative on the STRS Board.

I have taught in the public schools for 42 years and in the last ten I have been ashamed of my profession's retirement system. What I assumed was a system that would provide for a secure and affordable retirement has become an albatross and the people who were in a position to provide some sense of reward for my years of service have become dysfunctional.

What kind of STRS Board member is it who is not strictly abiding by the benchmark mandated by ORC 3307.15? As seven members of the past and present Administration and Board have crumbled under the scrutiny of ethics and conflict of interest, has it not become obvious that a major STRS face lift is needed?

Mr. Puckett is the only holdover from the old "entitlement" regime and he is badly out of step with the "Renaissance for Retirees" that is taking place under the leadership of Dr. Leone and John Lazares. All one needs to do is examine Puckett's past rubber-stamp voting record and his current yes-man approval of payment to a real estate talent scout and personal attorneys for paranoid STRS Staff members. Simply put, his actions and inactions are "past it" and it is difficult for me to believe that he is the best that your office has to offer.

In your position as the state's top educator, it would seem to behoove you to reexamine your representation on the STRS Board. Is it not time for a recall and a fresh appointment of someone who is truly interested in decision-making that will recruit the cream of the education prospects, will entice the best of current teachers to stay in the fold, and will demonstrate genuine appreciation for those that have devoted a lifetime to their classrooms?

Jim N. Reed