Betsy Cook's letter to teachers in support of Dan Vincent (Marietta Times)

Marietta Times.com
April 9, 2008

Educators of Washington County, it is STRS active board member election time again. Early April, you will receive your ballot to elect an active member to the State Teachers Retirement System Board.

I encourage you to read about the two candidates running for the position and hope you will consider this article as just one piece of reading. I recommend Dan Vincent for the active teacher position on the STRS Board. After a review of this year’s activities at STRS, I will share information about Dan Vincent and why I feel he is the best candidate.

Each active and retired teacher that voted in the last three STRS elections can feel proud because you were an integral part of “democracy in action”. After learning about the abuse and misuse of your retirement funds by the STRS Board, you voted the old board members out by electing new board members. With the help of Senate Bill 133 passed by the Ohio Legislature and your votes for change, the 11-member board has all new faces! As I attend the board meetings, I notice that these new members are not “rubber stamps” but thinking, questioning and concerned participants.

We, the members of STRS, have sent the message that we expect board members to fulfill their duty “to act solely on the behalf of STRS membership”, that we are paying attention and will remove board members not carrying out their elected duties responsibly. The new board members have heard us and are now listening to us, the members.

There is still much work to be done. The budget has been reduced but still has waste. Salaries, bonuses and perks for employees need to be further studied and made reasonable. The childcare center has not yet become self-sustaining. A pet peeve of mine is the extravagant building that is a drain on the budget and has much wasted and unused space. This will take some creative problem solving. Our investors are making great gains for the pension system but a vitally important issue to be resolved is permanent affordable health care for all members and their dependents. The board has many issues to deal with and will require the help of a strong, involved membership working in collaboration and unison.

The members of CORE (Concerned Ohio Retired Educators — active and retired teachers that joined Dennis Leone in exposing the previous board and administration) realize the importance of involvement, perseverance and collaboration. CORE members continue to attend every Board and committee meeting to keep STRS members throughout the state informed. This all-volunteer group is vigilant and works to build positive communication channels with STRS Board members, ORTA (Ohio Retired Teachers Association), AFT (American Federation of Teachers) and OEA (Ohio Education Association). As a member of STRS, CORE and ORTA, I realize it does not matter with which group you are affiliated; we all have an equal stake in the solvency of STRS. It is vital that we not forget the past but learn from it and together build a stronger STRS for the future of all Ohio educators.

The active seat that is up for election is that of John Lazares who, along with Dennis Leone, uncovered the massive waste and extravagant spending by the previous board. John is retiring at the end of this school year and will not be an active teacher when the new term begins. We need someone on the board that will continue the work of John Lazares as an independent thinker, one who studies and questions board items, a person willing to work for all STRS members and someone who will stand up for what he believes is right.

Earlier, I stated my recommendations of Dan Vincent. Not only does Vincent come from generations of educators, but also he himself has been an elementary teacher, speech and language therapist, middle school principal, assistant superintendent and director of curriculum. With his background, Dan is well aware of educator needs and concerns. He pledges to strictly adhere to ORC 3307.15 “act solely in the interest of membership,” have open communication with members and prudently oversee the STRS funds and work for permanent affordable health care. Vincent has served on well over 100 boards so he is experienced in board policy, procedures and working relationships needed to resolve issues. Finally, CORE has endorsed Dan Vincent because he is an independent thinker and shares the reform philosophies of Dennis Leone and John Lazares.

More information is available at www.concernedohio.org .

I know that as an active teacher, your time is very limited but your retirement future may depend on a few minutes of that time. When you receive your ballot in early April, please vote. I encourage you to elect Dan Vincent to continue a diverse board with no majority from any one organization, to ensure the responsible management of our retirement funds and to work toward guaranteed affordable health care for members and their family.

Betsy Cook,
Retired Marietta teacher
Lowell