Jim N. Reed: Checks and Balances...Where have they gone at STRS?

Jim N. Reed to Dennis Leone, November 1, 2007
Dr. Leone, just a note to express my gratitude for your recent well constructed letter of chastisement of Damon Asbury's abuse of his Executive Branch authority at STRS. Recent actions and lack thereof from the Board indicates a lack of understanding of the constitutional principle of "separation of powers" and its resulting product, the "balance of power."

This basic facet of the constitutional rule of law has been abrogated by a majority of this Board. It's embarrassing and insulting to me as a retiree to realize that these policy makers, sworn to abide by 3307.15 and their fiduciary duties, are apparently ignorant of their most fundamental of duty. What more basic but crucial duty do they have than to legislate policy and demand the execution of that policy as written? The majority of the present Board seems to be taking on the character flaws of past boards, one of which was to succumb to "rubber stamping" for an out-of-control Executive. It looks like Yogi's "deja vu all over again!"

Those boards were not only painfully ineffective in watching over STRS funds but they were unethical and eventually judged illegal. What was their major pitfall? Being "Yes-Men/Women" to an arrogant, unresponsive Executive Director who lead them to believing they were entitled to their conduct even when members became the victims of their abuse.

Thanks, again, Dennis. You have to feel like you're in the "Twilight Zone" at times.

Jim N. Reed

From Dennis Leone, November 1, 2007

........and just imagine, Jim, what our school boards would have done to us if they learned, after the fact, that we (without their knowledge) issued severance checks and free health insurance to teachers that were laid off due to a Reduction in Force.

Dennis Leone