Jim N. Reed to Susan Zelman: Time to replace Puckett

From Jim N. Reed, October 28, 2006
Subject: "...making the teaching more valued and honored."

Superintendent Zelman, in a recent education article by Andrew Welsh-Huggins regarding federal grants for teacher bonuses in select Ohio school districts you were quoted that one purpose for the bonuses was "about making the teaching profession more valued and honored."

Both ends seem to be worthy and honorable goals for the education profession (though I'm not certain these means are the best methods of achievement.)

I'm certain you are aware of the education critics that have always questioned the use of "profession" when defining our vocation. Unfortunately, educators have often been their own worst enemy when unprofessional behavior besmirches our rank and file.

I submit that the performance of Dr. Puckett, your appointee on the STRS Board has demonstrated questionable professionalism in his interaction with retirees and other Board members. You could have sent anyone from your department to be a rubber stamp for an administrative philosophy that has been, and will continue to be, challenged by stakeholders who will no longer allow their retirement system to be an embarrassment to their profession.

Dr. Puckett has contributed little to the attempts of concerned Ohio retired educators' efforts to correct the shameful behavior of past Boards. Furthermore, it seems Dr. Puckett may remain a current participant in the disgraced entitlement practice of personal spending using plastic funded by retirees' contributions.

Superintendent Zelman, it is time to send a genuinely qualified, independent thinking and compassionate individual to the STRS Board to represent our profession's active and retired educators.

In advance, thank you for your serious consideration of Dr. Puckett's replacement.

Jim N. Reed