Time for OSBA to carry the ball

From RH Jones, October 4, 2007
Subject: To all4

To all:

Retirees can't carry districts.

The STRS retired members have carried public school districts for the past 7 yrs. and longer. For the sake of Ohio’s children and their teachers, it is time the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) carried that weight. If the lack of OSBA foresight was corrected, and they progressively face the challenge of providing funds to the STRS for retired educator health care (HC), the problem can be solved. Presently, Ohio law does not require STRS HC. Long overdue, for over 20 yrs., House Bill 315 will change that.

Mistakenly, an overly conservative OSBA sat quietly by while billions of dollars of public school funds were diverted into the pockets of for–profit charter school entrepreneurs. Retired public educators understood that scarce and limited public education operation dollars were diverted. And money to fund the STRS was diverted as well. Therefore, is it no wonder that the quality of education for student has gone down and money is tight? Without a properly educated public work force, high tech businesses that require an educated work force are, and will, exit the state. Quality teachers will follow their lead. Supporting HB 315 the OSBA can, in part, correct this wrong.

On 10/02/07, I received an answer to my e-mail to Rick Lewis, the Exec. Dir. of the OSBA. He stated in part: “…However, our association’s legislative position, as prescribed by more than 700 boards of education through a delegate assembly, remains clearly and firmly opposed…”. Why are so many, so wrong? As age demographics have changed in the 20 or more years since the present employer 14% contribution to the STRS has been in effect, expensive elderly educators remain in their positions longer; therefore, to oppose HB 315 will only bring added expenses to School Districts. Therefore, why not, now, divert the consequential longevity funding into funds to grow an adequate HC for encouragement of educator retirement? I humbly ask that Mr. Lewis, as Executive Director, to make a change of heart, and to take the lead to promote this vital HB 315. The STRS cannot provide adequate HC without this bill’s passage.

It is a surprise to me that a majority of responsible OSBA members would make such a shortsighted opposing position. Without this bill, it is beyond the STRS capacity to generate enough interest income to sustain a HC program for its members. Certainly, in light of the publication of recent STRS Ohio HC solutions, the OSBA needs to reconvene and take another vote.

Active and retired educators, you can get the attention of the OSBA, the Exec. Dir., et al. by going on the Internet to: Ohio School Boards Association. The website will then appear. Rich Lewis can be reached and the Legislative Specialist, et al. Or just go to: www.ohioschoolplan.org or www.osba-ohio.org.

A surprised retired elementary teacher,

Robert Hudson Jones