Suzanne Laird to STRS board: I’m begging, not for treats, but for what I and all Ohio teachers deserve: a secure and stable retirement.

Suzanne Laird's speech to STRS board

October 17, 2024

Good Morning/afternoon, Members of my Board:

I would like to welcome our new appointees and pay compliments to several of our current teacher representatives for asking the tough questions. These teacher reps hit the ground running and can help you, as new Board members this October, separate the treats from the tricks.

At this time of year, we caution students against becoming too greedy with candy, yet here, at STRS, the greed is rampant.

At least SEVEN STRS employees make over half a million dollars a year when you combine their outrageous salaries with their treats — excuse me — bonuses. Even the custodial staff averages $61,000/year: more than some rural Ohio teachers! And, as you have seen, their surroundings are a treat for the eyes, the envy of every educator.

Those of you appointed by the governor: are you aware that 90 staff members at STRS earn more than your boss?! The tricks don’t stop there; you will witness vanity projects like the Stakeholder Task Force, proposed to waste thousands, free parking, a 10 dollar a month gym, and a cafeteria which loses hundreds of thousands of dollars every year.

Ahh, but they will try to trick you into believing that none of this largesse would bring back the COLA or reduce the number of years for active teachers. Ten years of bonuses in the 5 million dollar range would help, but the Attorney General’s ghouls haunt every meeting, scaring the Board into giving out more candy.

Do not be tricked. We educators were tricked into believing that we could trust our own retirement system. Now, we are being told that we did not contribute enough, (although we had no say: the actuary determined the amount which was withheld from our pay), and that we are living too long. But sadly, the graveyards are filling up with retirees dying to receive a COLA. Wait another ten years, we are told.

I’m frightened. I’m scared for the future of education in Ohio, and you should be, too.

I’m begging, not for treats, but for what I and all Ohio teachers deserve: a secure and stable retirement.