Board shaming by Suzanne Laird

Suzanne Laird's speech to the STRS Board

May 17, 2018

Chairman Hill, Members of My Board:

Good morning. My name is Suzanne Laird. I retired after 30 years of hard work.

I wear black today; in mourning for my COLA.

-- The COLA that was promised to me each time I met with my STRS advisor and was told, "you must retire in 2013 in order to SAVE your COLA."

-- the COLA that was stipulated in Ohio Revised Code 3307.67

-- the COLA that was summarily stripped away from hard working , dedicated educators while you, our Board, approved and accepted extravagant bonuses

-- I'm in mourning for a Board, MY Board, which apparently has NOT ONE member with the integrity to say, "This is wrong."

-- Shame. Shame. Shame. Shame. Shame. Shame. Shame. [Pointing at each Board member with each "shame"]

-- Just as every teacher must provide accountability every quarter, I demand that you, my Board, provide quarterly reports defining WHEN the COLA will be restored.

Until then, I'm in mourning for my COLA.

Thank you for your time.