Shirlee Zerkel: A response from Laura Ecklar

From Shirlee Zerkel, August 26, 2009
Subject: Response to E-Mail

To all, This is the response to my question of why Leibensperger and Hanning were at the table with board a the last two meetings. Wonder where the third fellow she mentioned was. Also note that she stated that individual member can respond in the discussions. What do you think of her answer?

Shirlee

From Laura Ecklar, August 26, 2009
Subj: Response to E-Mail

Dear Ms. Zerkle,

Mr. Nehf has asked that I respond to your recent e-mail regarding the Healthcare and Pension Advocates for STRS (HPA). This group used to be known as the Health Care Advocates for STRS (HCA). The group is a coalition of the major management, professional and retiree organizations representing Ohio’s public K-12 and higher education teachers, including the American Association of University Professors, the Buckeye Association of School Administrators, Inter-University Council of Ohio, Ohio Association of Community Colleges, Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators, Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators, Ohio Council of Higher Education Retirees, Ohio Federation of Teachers, Ohio Retired Teachers Association, Ohio Education Association and Ohio Education Association-Retired. The coalition co-chairs are Bill Leibensperger, Ann Hanning and Larry Lewellen.

As reported in the March 2009 Board News following that month’s meeting, the Retirement Board agreed that input from the HPA, as well as from individual members, would be encouraged during the board’s deliberations in the coming months. The involvement of the HPA was also noted in the August 2009 STRS Ohio newsletters.

I hope this answers your question. Thank you.

Laura Ecklar
Director, Communication Services