Jim N. Reed's letter to the Editor: STRS members should take time to research, vote for board

Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, May 5, 2010

During the month of April, Ohio's "active" educators were at another fork in their STRS journey as balloting took place to select representatives to the board. The board makes critical decisions that affect all active and retired educators. Since the terms of board members Dennis Leone and John Lazares ended, watch-dogging and challenging rubber-stamp board policy have dangerously retreated and their warnings and admonitions have been diluted by an OEA-controlled board. Unfortunately, for actives and retirees, Leone's and Lazares's prognostications regarding STRS financial mismanagement and their dire consequences have been corroborated including the $30 billion asset loss from 2007 to 2009.

The current board has determined active and retired educators will have to bear the burden of having their benefits reduced to compensate for years of mismanagement.

Current OEA-trained and endorsed board members recently voted to recommend an increase in service retirement from 30 to 35 years; increase minimum retirement age to 60 (or until 35 years of service); increase member contribution by 2.5 percent; increase employer contribution by 2.5 percent; and increase the number of years to calculate your FAS from three to five years.

Yes, there is a decrease in their recommendations. A decrease in the COLA for retirees!

Cincinnati Sycamore High School Athletic Director Jim Stoll offers 24 years as a teacher, coach, administrator and successful businessman as experiences that can monitor and challenge policy in making STRS accountable and more responsive to its members. Stoll's platform -- available on Facebook and at www.kathiebracy.blogspot.com -- emphasizes cutting STRS spending practices and not member benefits.

If you are an active educator and have not voted yet, it is not too late as you can return your ballot through early May. Too frequently, STRS members do not engage in board elections, and their apathy and passiveness might have cost 450,000 members and beneficiaries significantly.

Actives, do some homework and vote. Too many have blindly followed Yogi's advice, "When you come to a fork in the road, take it!" STOP! Become STRS-literate.

Jim N. Reed
Baltimore

http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/article/20100505/OPINION03/5050320/-1/newsfront2/STRS-members-should-take-time-to-research-vote-for-board

[Voting ended May 4; too bad this wasn't published sooner!]