RH Jones Re: Interesting OH STRS statisitcs

From RH Jones, June 26, 2009

To all active & retired educators:

As related to me by Dr. K. Fluke, at the last STRS board meeting Sandra Knoesel supplied this statistic: 72% of members with 30-yrs. service retire before age 60. This statistic tells me that actives retire at 30-yrs more than likely due to the terrible strain and are in bad working conditions. What legislature, parent, or student would want a “burned out” teacher working past age 60? If the job were such a “gravy train”, why would they not stay longer and retire with a higher pension?

Dr. Fluke says: The COLA reduction would have the biggest impact on member’s future benefits after 20-yrs. into retiree retirement years. Then he said: Dir. Hutras of the Ohio Retirement Service Council (ORSC) will make funding a primary focus and the legislation will be made soon. And, further, Dr. Fluke said that STRS Director Nehf mentioned that a decision will be made by August, and there will be an extra board meeting.

Everyone, we are volunteering hours, and hours, of our time. We get no pay for doing our homework. Some, who do get paid by our dues, seem to not be representing STRS members. Just look at the history since the year 2000. Had they done their homework would not STRS be in much better shape financially today? They were in power then. Do our various organizations represent us, or not? We are members and have a right to service. And, we have a right to try to make positive change by working at home rather than wasting volunteer hours on the highways. Most certainly after 30-yrs. in the classroom, and school offices, members have been at enough time wasting meetings.

Also, the 30-yrs. has made many of us not to be people persons. I am afraid that those who wish to educate our beloved students “on the cheap” have wiped the smile off our faces. Just one case in point: as many students took their mandatory final year end tests did so in super hot rooms in the new schools that are finally being constructed but: no money has been set aside to run, or repair, the air conditioners! Teachers were bringing in their own fans, and some brought in small window air cons (Russian spelling for air conditioners – a much better word!). Some systems were having trouble paying the consequential increase in electricity costs. Most of you readers know of such cases this spring. I am quite sure the legislators meet in buildings with working air cons. It is time that they provide proper funding to our P-U-B-L-I-C- schools. Charter schools have drained too much funding and has the legislators noticed that they are unionizing?

The above brief message is not meant to be critical. It is written in the spirit to move education forward. I think my new CORE organization may be that open wave of the future. It is an idea whose time has come. They are creating the proper changes that we educators need. I am quite sure CORE is also happy having organizational competition.

RHJones, my opinion, and a proud CORE member