Dr. Fluke to Akron Board of Ed: There is NO Adequate Retirement Without Adequate Hospitalization

From RH Jones, November 20, 2007
Subject: Dr. Fluke's lonely HC struggle
To all:
With a severe head cold, Dr. K. Fluke, Legislative Chair of the SummitCRTA, addressed the Akron Board of Education (ABE) with an explanation of reasons for supporting HB 315 (the modest employer/employee contribution increase for health care). Backing Dr. Fluke was Bob Dengler, Past President of the SummitCRTA -- Due to their advanced age; these two certainly deserve the thanks of the thousands of active & retired teachers that reside in Akron. As you know, it is most difficult for the elderly to drive to and from such meetings on a frigid & dark November night.

Dr. Fluke’s main concern is that the employer has not properly funded Health Care (HC) for the past 30-years—the employees have had increased contributions during that time. The Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) & the ABE does not understand that inflation has been a factor in those 30-yrs. And, contrary to the OSBA & ABE’s position, the STRS cannot support the increased HC costs.

Dr. Fluke gave each board member a copy of the AEA Member’s Handbook of September 1979 which noted that: Members contribute to the STRS 8.5% and employers 13.5%. Clearly, this backs Dr. Fluke’s statement about STRS members paying proportionately more since 1979. The following is Dr. Fluke’s speech:

There is NO Adequate Retirement Without Adequate Hospitalization

Data from the 1979 AEA Members’ Handbook shown above indicates that in the last approximately 30 years active STRS members have proportionately contributed more towards Health Care. The teachers’ contribution was 8.5% of gross earnings. The employers’ contribution was 13.5%. Today, active teachers contribute 12% and Boards of Education 14%. Apparently, there has been very little consideration for inflation during this approximate 30 years.
The Akron Board of Education should be aware that all teachers are taxpayers. The need for support for HB 315 is urgent. Without consideration of support for HB 315, the Akron Board of Education obviously cannot expect future support from their teachers; this includes retirees, presently active teachers retired teachers not qualifying, age 65, for Medicare. Those students who are planning an educational career should carefully observe the negative support for HB coming from the Ohio School Board Association and local school boards. We will be losing those future teachers to states more considerate of retiree Health care.
K.W. Fluke, Ph.D.
By the way, the ABE meeting was televised several times on the Public Service Channel of Warner Cable.