Freeloading administrators? Surely not! But John Curry tells is like it is.....

From John Curry

September 23, 2019

Thank you, Robin, for having the intestinal fortitude to say what many have been thinking.....the employer also needs to pitch in to help in this situation. The employers haven't had an increase in their contribution rate in over 40 years....and it's about time they also step up to the plate. Some schools can afford this additional payroll burden immediately, others may have to "cut corners" to do so...and some may have to ask their taxpayers for additional funds to care for their cadre of educators that they (rightfully) always praise as being highly talented. The bottom line is they will also have to pitch in to cover their concern for their highly valued employees.

One immediate way to make contribution rates more affordable to public schools won't win me any friends in the education community (ask me if I care)...but it is one that I always felt needed attention is the fact that public schools can save significant moneys by forcing superintendents and other administrators to pay their "fair share" out of their paychecks (14%) into STRS just like all their classroom teachers have to. I can't think of how many police chiefs, fire chiefs and county administrators I have talked to who had no idea that most Ohio superintendents and other school administrators pay nothing (or only partially) to their retirement system out of their own paychecks. They were in disbelief when informed of this benefit...one that they didn't receive. This practice, that could accurately be called "freeloading," isn't common in other venues of public service jobs.....all of their city and county administrators, as well as department heads, have to pay their fair share....just like their underling employees.

P.S. Many classroom teachers are still not aware that this inequity exists even today. P.S. Sometimes the truth hurts, doesn't it?

John Curry