Arthur Lard; The Big Question: If re-elected to the STRS Ohio Retirement Board, will Arthur Lard continue to abstain from voting on issues that impact Ohio's active teachers?

 Is OEA Misleading Active Teachers?

By Dean Dennis and Cindy Murphy

March 26, 2023

The April 2023 election for one contributing seat on the STRS Ohio Retirement Board is currently a hot topic on social media. The STRS Ohio Watchdogs want to share with active teachers a serious misrepresentation on the part of the Ohio Education Association.

First, and most important, are the Minutes of the March 17, 2022, meeting of the STRS Ohio Retirement Board.

Following discussion, Mr. McFee moved, seconded by Ms. Herrington, that in accordance with the Board’s actuary’s determination that these changes do not materially impair the fiscal integrity of the retirement system, the Board should make the following benefit plan design changes.

1. Pursuant to the authority provided under Ohio Revised Code (RC) §3307.67(E), beginning July 1, 2022, approve a one-time 3% cost-of-living increase be paid to eligible benefit recipients on their anniversary date in fiscal year 2023.

2. Pursuant to the authority provided under RC §3307.58(B)(3), eliminate the requirement of age 60 scheduled to go into effect August 1, 2026, pursuant to RC §3307.58 (B)(1)(c)(vii).

Upon roll call the vote was as follows: Mr. McFee, yes; Ms. Herrington, yes; Ms. Correthers, yes; Dr. Fichtenbaum, yes; Dr. Hunt, yes; Mr. Lard, abstain; Mr. Price, yes; Mr. Rhodes, yes; Mr.Roulston, yes; Ms. Walters, yes. The motion carried.

Now that you have read the Board Minutes, what follows should be of interest to all active teachers.

Here's what OEA has posted about Arthur Lard on their website:

Note that OEA is stating that Arthur Lard “voted for the elimination of the requirement that members be 60 years old or older to retire and to approve a one-time 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for eligible retirees".

However, the Board Minutes reveal that, when he could have voted for these changes, Arthur Lard abstained.

The STRS Ohio Watchdogs believe that abstaining from an important vote to restore lost benefits for members breaches the responsibility that one would expect of a Trustee.

If re-elected to the STRS Ohio Retirement Board, will Arthur Lard continue to abstain from voting on issues that impact Ohio's active teachers?