RH Jones: The old Board days are over; monitoring is in

From RH Jones, February 8, 2009
Subject: Fw: STRS PBI Bonuses

To all:

The Ohio STRS board has to wake up. Obviously, they are not aware that their judgments are now being monitored not only by the (CORE) Concerned Ohio Retired Educators but by a large number of organizations? The old days are over for them.

They must realize that their decisions which allow for illogical extravagances turns off -- in my opinion -- any support that we may have in the struggle to get a steady stream of income to allow for adequate (HC) health care benefits. How in the world are they going to sell an increase in employer/employee contributions to funding STRS HC without showing fiscal responsibility to those who will be paying "up-front"? Every penny is precious to those who contribute and have contributed to the system. I do think that they have not taken this into consideration. Despite board and employees expounding on "so called" studies that back past extravagances; the opposition to any increases will play "hard ball" when the chance arises for them to reveal in the STRS what might be thought of as any mishandling of revenue -- even when funds may be available within the budgeted limits -- public relations is always extremely important in every decision involving money.

This message is not meant to be critical. As a retired teacher member, financially dependant upon them making logical decisions, I am asking them to stay current with the economic events of the day. These events offer an opportunity to move our STRS forward. The board then has an awesome responsibility to always use common sense. I do hope all my unions realize this as well.

My thoughts,
RHJones, a retired teacher and union member