Active teacher, Nathan Stewart, voices his concerns to the STRS board

Nathan Stewart: Comments to STRS board 

June 21, 2024

Nathan Stewart, Active teacher Music Teacher, Olentangy Schools, 4 years; transitioned to teaching 6 years ago. 

I am concerned about my pension. 

• I am concerned that current retirees aren’t receiving their promised COLA.

• I am concerned that anonymous letters and tips to the governor get more attention than properly filed concerns and complaints. How does that even happen? How do anonymous tips get to the top of the pile?

• I am concerned that STRS has to spend money marketing themselves as if they are trying to attract customers to a business.

• I am concerned that the OEA-endorsed reps on this board aren’t doing anything to help the desperate situation and are not for reform, 

• I am concerned that there even are “endorsed candidates for the STRS board, why should that even be a thing? Why would anyone run who would not WANT to serve the mission of paying teachers benefits? 

• I am concerned that someone can be dismissed from the board for an allegedly poor attendance record without warning. 

• I am concerned that an organization that serves public educators would even give performance-based incentives and especially when they can’t even accomplish their mission as promised. 

• I am concerned that I see my school district’s 14% contribution on my pay stub as it is a benefit for me, but actually it does nothing to enhance my pension. Imagine is my 14% and the district’s 14% were actually working for the members. We’d all be millionaires. 

• I am concerned that an organization that exists to pay teachers' retirements has lost their way and does not see teachers (both active and retired) as their number one priority.

• I am concerned that many teachers don’t have the time or the energy to figure out the mess at STRS. Board members, have you been in a classroom lately? 

I am thankful for the reform members and am hopeful that everyone on this board will act in a way will value teachers and the energy, time and talents they invest into the profession. Thank you for listening.