Robin Beebe and an updated version of Mother Goose nursery rhymes for the STRS board March 19, 2025

Robin Beebe's speech to STRS board

March 19, 2025

My name is Robin Beebe. Retired teacher of mainly 4th Graders, 2nd Graders, Kindergarteners, a smattering of other elementary grades, and eight summers of Migrant Education. 35 years. Fremont City Schools and Perrysburg Schools. Retired coming up on 16 years. Please start the 3 minute timer now.

My speech has only ONE focus today. Please pay close attention. The loss of my 3% COLAs that were supposed to be paid in accordance with the LAWS IN EFFECT at the time of my retirement amount to a total of $119,242.56 and counting.... So, I have been musing once again on how many ways I can make my concern heard and the right thing be done to correct it?

Well, I have the privilege and great joy of taking care of our 3-year-old grandson three days a week and being a part of his world while his attorney parents work. Being well versed in nursery rhymes currently, let me share some that I have taken the liberty to "update". I title this "The 3% COLA ANTHOLOGY of NURSERY RHYMES: A VERY ABRIDGED VERSION". My apologies to Mother Goose

Twinkle, twinkle little 3% COLA

How we wonder where you are.

Up above the world and gone

Out of sight for you we long.

 

Twinkle, twinkle little 3% COLA

How we wonder where you are.

Row, row, row our 3% COLA

Gently back in place.

Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily

Restoration is the perfect case.

 

Little Retiree Muffet

Sat on a tuffet

Looking for the COLA gone astray.

Along came the reinstated 3% COLA

Sat down by that tuffet

And Little Retiree Muffet shouted "HOORAY!"

 

The Itsy, Bitsy 3% COLA climbed up and out of sight.

Down came good news and the 3% COLA came back out.

Out came the reform Board and cleared up all the mess

And the Itsy, Bitsy 3% COLA really is the BEST!

Pat-a-cake, Pat-a-cake

Board members all.

Send us a 3% COLA

Just get on the ball.

Reinstate it, vote on it, and mark it for all to see.

And send out our retirement checks.

What justice that will be!

One, two, what are retirees to do?

Three, four, we all are getting poor.

Five, six, why were we so tricked?

Seven, eight, the Board is very late.

Nine, ten, give us our 3% COLA again!

It being March and just after St. Patrick's Day, I want to close with an old Irish Blessing for all of us in this room.

May the road rise to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

The rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again, 

May God hold you in the palm of his hand.