Jim N. Reed to Senator-elect Schaffer: STRS needs Dr. Thomas Hall

From Jim N. Reed, November 17, 2006

Mr. Schaffer, as a concerned educator and Fairfield County constituent I request your assistance in promoting the name of Dr. Thomas Hall to the open STRS Board seat recently vacated by Geoffrey Meyers. Meyers was the joint appointee of the House Speaker and Senate President.

I would encourage you to review the qualifications of Dr. Hall for this extremely crucial appointment to Ohio's "recovering" STRS. As a champion of Ohio education who has campaigned frequently among Ohio's teachers ( I recall your participation in the dedication of the remodeled Liberty Union Elementary School), I believe your support and encouragement could make a difference when the General Assembly's new STRS Board appointee is named.

Your investigation of the controversy at the STRS during the past three years will alert you to the severity of the current condition of the state's retirement system. Unfortunately, Meyers was part of the problem. Most of the Dyer ( former relieved Executive Director) "Entitlement Regime" has been indicted and found guilty, plea-bargained, or resigned in disgrace. There is a STRS Board Renaissance in progress thanks to the efforts of Board members Dr. Dennis Leone and Mr. John Lazares who have personally sacrificed to serve. Their insistence on a strict observation of ORC 3307.15 has been a ray of hope for many discouraged retirees.

The Board needs to be implanted with members who will genuinely represent Ohio's prospective, active, and retired teachers. To accomplish this goal we must be represented by qualified and compassionate individuals who have a personal investment in their profession and who take pride in their performance. Too often we have witnessed a corporate mentality of arrogance, corruption, greed and exclusivity in this Board room. Frankly, it has frequently been an embarrassment to my profession.

Many of us believe that Dr. Thomas Hall can assist in the restoration of trust, confidence, and credibility in an STRS Board that has proven inept and dysfunctional in their disservice to many of the 140,000 retirees whose faith and trust was misplaced. Dr. Hall is an economics PhD at Miami University. He is well-recognized and respected as an educator and author and in this past spring's STRS Board election he received the third most votes cast by Ohio's active teachers. His expertise in investment, business cycles, and other economic issues would be an invaluable addition to the Board. Furthermore, and just as important, he would insist on unwavering adherence to ORC 3307.15.

As well-respected state representative and now as Senator-elect Schaffer, I strongly urge you to validate the credentials and qualification of Dr. Thomas Hall and encourage you to endorse and recommend his joint appointment to House Speaker Husted and Senate President Harris. ( I have previously contacted them with my sentiments.)

I express my appreciation in advance for your sincere attention to this critical legislative appointment.
Jim N. Reed
42-year educator
Liberty Union-Thurston Local Schools
Proud Member of CORE