Robin Rayfield's speech to STRS board 9/18/2025

Good morning,

My name is Dr.Robin Rayfield, Executive Director of ORTA and a retired member of STRS.

As the chapter of democratic control of the STRS pension system is on the verge of ending, I think that it is important to stop and think about where we are and how we got here.

Several years ago, ORTA leadership met with the chair of the ORSC and asked for help in making reforms to STRS. Our concerns at that time remain today.

1.  Transparency with regards to fees, costs, and expenses, especially with the investment program at STRS.

2.  Investment philosophy at STRS. ORTA believed and still believes that a passive approach to investing our money would produce much greater returns and at a mch lower cost. Historical data prove these beliefs to be accurate.

The chair of the ORSC was adamant that the legislative bodies were not the answer to STRS’ member concerns. His advice was simple. Since STRS has a majority of board members elected by the membership, reform must come through electing reform-minded individuals to the STRS board. Through several election cycles, and despite interference by the governor and STRS leadership, the reform movement has been successful. However, reform that is sustainable has to be incremental and takes time. Unfortunately, one party rule in Ohio has reared its ugly head once again and is threatening the democratic process. Educator voices are being silenced.

My hope is that public educators across Ohio will become engaged in this fight for democracy. Public education is the foundation upon which our society is built. Without a healthy public school system comprised of dedicated and well represented teachers, our society is threatened.

This fight has morphed from a ‘fight for inflation protection’ for retired teachers to a fight for what is right and just for people. Instead of eliminating opposing points of view, our elected officials should develop solutions or better responses to the challenges we face.

To the elected members of this board… Thank you for your service.

To the appointed members of this board… I hope that you are able to see opposing perspectives and work to develop solutions. The lives of over 300,000 people depend on you.