Suzanne Laird to STRS Board 2/17/22: We hear the term “shared sacrifice” bandied about, but the only ones sacrificing are the current and retired teachers.

From Suzanne Laird

February 17, 2022

Good Morning, Members of MY Board:

My name is Suzanne Laird, and I taught for more than 30 years, waaaay too long to be treated with such disrespect by Board members elected to represent me and my fellow Ohio educators.

Did you really think that we would settle for a ONE TIME only 2% COLA?!
Do you really believe that current and future teachers will continue to serve while being forced to relinquish 14% of their salaries to the deep, dark pockets of STRS?!

I would like to respectfully remind you that you are here at OUR behest: when we take the time to come here and speak, our suggestions deserve to be considered.
We hear the term “shared sacrifice” bandied about, but the only ones sacrificing are the current and retired teachers. 

We are told, “Oh, we can’t possibly freeze the salaries of the investment staff or curtail their bonuses.” Yes, yes you can. You froze the COLA didn’t you? You have the power, you lack the fortitude. We are told, “Oh, it wouldn’t make a difference, anyway.” Well, let’s try it and see. As Colleen Marshall stated earlier this week, it certainly would make a difference in the optics. And perhaps, the bottom line. Shared sacrifice, remember?

The COVID pandemic has forced educators to drastically rethink how they deliver education to their students. This Board must drastically rethink how it delivers the earned benefits to the educators of Ohio.
We desperately need a change in investment strategies. When a new proposal is brought before you, it deserves careful consideration. Now, there’s no shame in admitting genuine ignorance if you don’t understand the proposal — we teachers help with that every day! But our concern is whether we are witnessing genuine ignorance or willful ignorance.
If you have a better proposal, speak up! Or demand that the consultants devise an alternative way of increasing the returns.

If you’re not up to the task, kindly remove yourself from the Board. There’s no shame in that. The shame is not having the humility to admit it, and humbly serve the hard working teachers of Ohio.