James Carr: The STRS hierarchy needs to be held accountable; if they can't get the job done they need to be replaced.

By James Carr

Posted in Ohio STRS Member Only Forum

April 19,2023

I believe almost everyone in this group will acknowledge, STRS is a mess and as a result of that mess, all of us are suffering.  As individuals, we can't clean up the mess, but as a group of more than 30 thousand strong we have leverage.

I have said this many times and I will repeat it: The God awful mess at STRS is not our problem. Our problem is that we end up suffering the consequences as a result of a mess we didn't make.

If it's not our problem, who's problem is it?  First and foremost, the STRS Board and right behind the Board, Bill Neville and his administrative staff. They make the decisions and they determine the policy that has turned our lives upside down.  

For too long, the Board (under control of non-reformers) and Neville, have operated under the assumption that they can conduct business as usual while we suffer the consequences.

They hand out lavish raises and perks, they grant undeserved bonuses, they behave as though they are intitled to enjoy the best that life has to offer at our expense.

If we gain control of the Board, the metrics of success need to be redefined.  When we get nothing, they get nothing. Until the longterm promises made by STRS have been reestablished and addressed, there can be no business as usual for ANYONE.

The STRS hierarchy gets paid to solve problems.  They need to be held accountable.  If they can't get the job done they need to be replaced expeditiously by a reform minded Board that is, first and foremost, looking out for us.