OFT News Release: Saturday services set for Tom Mooney

Dec. 6, 2006

Contact: Lisa K. Zellner

614-257-4195

Saturday Services Set for OFT President Tom Mooney

Memorial Fund to honor vigorous public education leader who died Dec. 3
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday Dec. 9 at Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St., in Cincinnati Ohio 45202, for OFT President Tom Mooney, who died unexpectedly Sunday of an apparent heart attack in Columbus.

Mooney, 52, became OFT president in 2000 and previously had been a longtime president of the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers (CFT).

"Tom was intensely passionate about improving public education. His voice, his leadership and his friendship will be truly missed," said Kathy Young, OFT Vice President.

Mooney was a strong proponent of greater accountability for charter schools in Ohio, leading a coalition of education, parent and civic groups that was critical of their academic failure. He dedicated his life to increasing teacher resources and raising student outcomes. He was a vigorous and outspoken voice for students, parents and teachers.

Ohio Governor-elect Ted Strickland made the following statement regarding Mooney's death: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the unexpected passing of Tom Mooney, an outspoken advocate for improving our education system in Ohio and across the country.”

A Memorial Fund is being established in Mooney’s honor to support the education of those who further his beliefs in social justice and political action. Contributions can be made to the "Tom Mooney Memorial Scholarship Fund" and sent to the OFT office:

“Tom Mooney Memorial Scholarship Fund”

c/o Ohio Federation of Teachers

1251 E. Broad St.

Columbus Ohio 43205

Mooney was highly regarded nationally as well. In a statement, AFT President Edward J. McElroy wrote: “We have lost one of the nation’s most forceful and eloquent voices on behalf of teachers, students and public education. Tom never lost the youthful vigor that catapulted him to leadership positions from which he took courageous stands on many worthy causes. That makes it especially difficult to accept this loss – Tom was so vibrant and had so much yet to contribute.”

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Mooney was elected to the AFT's executive council in 1990 and since 1998 served on the council's executive committee. He earlier served on the council's human rights and community relations committee and also as chair of the AFT Teachers program and policy council. He additionally participated in the union's Futures II process during the 1990s, and served on the council's organizing committee and the affiliate accountability committee.

Under Mooney's leadership, the CFT became a national leader in advancing teacher professionalism. The local negotiated the country's second Peer Assistance and Evaluation Program and built a four-tiered career ladder for teachers, the Career in Teaching Program. In Mooney's last term as local president, CFT and district administrators developed a rigorous teacher evaluation system which expects higher levels of performance from experienced teachers.

Tom leaves behind his wife Debbie Schneider; a son, Ruairi Rhodes of Cincinnati, his daughter Lielah Mooney in New York City; his mother, Marguerite Mooney of Hyde Park; his brother Don Mooney of Cincinnati and two sisters, Leslie Mooney of Philadelphia and Christine Mooney of Mount Washington. In addition he leaves behind a staff of 11 who not only respected and admired him but loved him.

The Ohio Federation of Teachers represents more than 20,000 members in 54 local unions across the state that include public education employees, higher education faculty and support staff, and public employees.

More information about Mooney, his work and his legacy are available on the OFT website at www.oft-aft.org.