Notes from Molly on the April CORE meeting and speakers at STRS Board meeting

From Molly Janczyk, April 21, 2008
Subject: CORE/STRS Meeting: 4/17/08

STRS News and speeches can be viewed on: www.kathiebracy.blogspot.com

Important issues:

CORE has the needed volunteers to serve as Trustees to continue its incorporation when the terms are up in September: Jim Reed, Mary Thomas, Kathie Bracy, Chuck Chapman/Nancy Boomhower, Ryan Holderman, George Justice, Marie Fetters, Donna Seamon. Incorporation allows us to accept donations for elections, mailings or legal counsel, etc. NO ONE in CORE receives any compensation for serving and we are all volunteers.

Dave Parshall agreed to continue in a spokesperson position in whatever way is determined by membership. Suggestions were made that we go from Officers to a Chairman (Dave P.) and Trustee Board. Many do not wish to serve as an officer per se but do agree to Trustee positions. This would solve that.

Ryan, Constitution Advisor, stated that needs be in writing which I submitted to start the process should it be decided to go in that direction. Ryan is informing us on what we need to do to act within our Constitution guidelines for any changes.

C. J. Myers is considering continuing as Treasurer and will let us know.

A Secretary would be helpful. Perhaps, it could be on a rotating basis as this is not a popular position. WHEN I am able to attend, I offer to take minutes but cannot always attend. I can do several times a year.

Definite plans are up for vote and this much is what was determined if membership wishes this direction.

STRS: Jim Reed and Betsy Cook spoke.

Betsy Cook praised John Lazares for his compassion, humor, tireless representation standing up for membership carrying out his position with integrity and honor rebuilding trust at STRS.

Jim N. Reed spoke of actives voting without thorough research in the 2008 Active Board election. Few investments are more important and the dissemination of candidate information should be a top priority. He was dismayed at a few administrators' reactions to flyers, denying access in the halls of education. "A mind is a terrible thing to waste!" While most administrators were agreeable to freedoms, some may not learn that Vincent was a classroom teacher before continuing his education to become an administrator disseminating his abilities among educators. Yet, Myers is touted being the only classroom educator. Lazares and Leone have brought enlightenment to the STRS Board due to their vast experience. Jim commended Lazares for his perseverance and commends any Board member who thinks independently and strives to adhere to the ORC.

Another speaker thanked STRS for allowing rehires to continue their HC. This group gets no funding from school systems and totally operates on its own through donations for maintaining a school for expelled kids. They pay for their own HC and STRS helped them keep their HC.

Leone commented that while some are upset with the change of policy for rehires and HC in 2009, remember the 57,000 retirees -- approximately 1/2 of the retired members earn pensions of $37,000 or below while rehires earn their pensions and salaries and some make up to $200,000 annually. Changing this benefit for rehires to have insurance through school districts saves STRS $2,000,000 a year.
[Translation: Thousands of retirees (close to 50% of the total) whose annual pension is less than $38,000 and new teachers earning maybe $25,000 are currently SUBSIDIZING health care for double-dippers who are taking home $200,000 annually. Is this FAIR? Is this RIGHT? KBB]