Why OEA will never engage in a public debate.....

From Molly Janczyk, April 27, 2009
Subject: Open Debate: Bonuses

Just as Bill Leibensperger will not agree to an open debate, neither will Tim Myers or probably any of the OEA-backed STRS Board members. Debating without prepared statements with unknown questions and audience is well outside their comfort zone. Speaking, like Dennis Leone does and Jim Stoll is requesting, interactively with audiences whether friendly or critical isn't where they want to be.

Interestingly, when Leone speaks with facts behind him, most audiences who were previously more closed minded change perspectives, but Dennis possesses the ability to face opponents or supporters without fear simply stating facts and presenting evidence. OEA likes to mail or gather their supporters in a room and bask in the glow of those who do not 'dissent.' They are not so quick or nimble on their feet as Leone and Stoll. Thus, that is a problem in imaging for them. Therefore, debate does not occur and public speaking on/in friendly territory or one in which no one is permitted to respond -- the-hit and-run arena.

Bill L.'s question to me of WHY does Dennis only wish to speak publicly with him is a perfect example of what I have said. There is no understanding of give and take, transparency, ability to prove accuracy, facing opponents who speak back with evidence to support them. It takes away the ability to take words out of context and throw out smears if someone is standing there ready to respond and prove otherwise. Not in their comfort zone.

Molly J.

Jim Stoll's speech to STRS -- and a challenge to OEA -- April 23, 2009

STRS Board -- Jim Stoll, Member of STRS who has paid into the system for 23 years now.

I'd like to share an analogy or example with you….. Sycamore Schools, where I'm the athletic director, has a Catholic high school within our district called Moeller. Several years ago, my football coaches came to me and said "Jim, Moeller's recruiting all of our good football players"; they complained and said I should turn them into the OHSAA for recruiting violations.

I asked our coaches one question: Name for me the best five eighth grade football players that we have at Sycamore Jr. High….. They couldn't -- coaches couldn't give me the names of our best five players…..they weren't doing their job. Moeller wasn't violating rules, they were OUTWORKING US.

My question/challenge to ANY board member, and to the Executive Director is the same which I had for my coaches….. Name me one "INDEPENDENT" professor (expert) that any one of you took the Bonus plan to and asked them for an evaluation??? Mike, did you go down the street and walk into the Business School at Ohio State to ask someone to evaluate it? Tim, did you go up to Bowling Green or Toledo and ask for an independent evaluation or critique of it????..... If any of you, INDEPENDENTLY, took it to someone outside the confines of these walls, please be SPECIFIC and give us the person you took it to…

I did; I consulted with a professor at the prestigious Farmer School of Business at Miami University…

He/We are all flabbergasted and amazed that you would, ON THE FLY, BY THE SEAT OF YOUR PANTS, make changes, revisions, motions, and votes and approve things in a plan that make no sense to experts in the field. MY ADVICE is ELIMINATE the PROGRAM, TAKE a year to get independent compensation experts from 13 universities throughout OHIO and build some consensus for the program. That is what a leader would do, and a prudent board, but this group seems to be neither, so I'd suspect you'll continue down the same ill-fated path.

I hope you realize that the field you're playing on has changed. Last week I sent an email to only 25,000 STRS members, one-fourth of our list. Based on the feedback you and I've received -- there is little or NO support for your continuation of this ridiculous Bonus plan or your defense of the Bonus plan. Superintendents and school boards are now getting on board.

As a successful coach, having won an OHIO STATE BASKETBALL TITLE in 1985, I understand a few things about MOTIVATION. There are two kinds of motivation. Intrinsic and extrinsic.

Intrinsic is the kind every teacher in OHIO is motivated by -- doing a good job, inspiring kids to achieve. It's the best kind of motivation; it encourages integrity and provides achievement that makes a person's heart and soul feel great about accomplishment! It lasts forever.

Extrinsic is the kind you are motivating through these bonuses. Extrinsic motivation is corrupt and greedy; it is fraught with problems and rarely lasts. Extrinsic motivation is giving material things for doing a person's JOB!

You want to MOTIVATE your investment associates -- fire a couple! Jack Welch, CEO who led GE to its greatest heights, states in his book, Jack -- Straight from the GUT, that to keep a business on the cutting edge at the top of its game and to attract the best and brightest talent that he would fire the bottom 5-10 percent of his management team every year! In your case, Human Resources would make a list of their 90 investment associates and rate them from 1-90. Whoever was listed 85-90 is non-renewed, let go, and you hire in five more of the best and brightest to compete and keep everyone motivated. School districts do it all the time by non-renewing the contracts of sub-par teachers. Want to intrinsically motivate your staff and not cost the members a penny…..adopt Jack Welch's strategy.

If the emails you've received haven't convinced you and the Executive Director that YOU are out of touch with your constituency, then you ought to rethink your roles and positions.

Lastly, as a basketball coach of an inner city school in the 1980s and at the college level, I've been spit on, had racial epithets thrown my way and other things occur to me, so in a political campaign, to receive criticism is somewhat amusing to me…..

I would like to say one thing to the OEA and those board members who were endorsed by that group. I'm the one running for a seat on the board -- my name is James A. Stoll.

Any criticisms should be directed at me, not a current sitting board member. For OEA to write a memo to their members and/or district leaders calling Dennis Leone a "Dissident STRS Board member" is APPALLING… I'd only heard the word "dissident" used referring to someone in China, Russia, North Korea or Cuba.

I've got news for Mr. Mahoney and Mr. Leibensperger at OEA -- if you want to take someone on, you better come after me because DR. LEONE is way out of your league! Dr. Leone has done more to protect the Active and Retired Teachers from abuses and mismanagement of STRS than everyone at OEA and STRS combined. He's not a part of this race, but I certainly thank them for putting me anywhere in his category -- based on my email response -- it has garnered me more votes than you know.

Thank you for your time.

Jim Stoll

Jim N. Reed: A letter of appreciation

From Jim N. Reed, April 21, 2009
Subject: Fwd: Dr. Leone challenges the OEA to a debate! "OEA can pick the date, the time, and location. I will be there."

Dear Dr. Leone,

You've done it again! Each time in the past four years that I have become so frustrated and disenchanted with STRS and become selfishly complacent you have provided a pep talk or letter that has restarted the juices. Where did you coach? I've been in that business for 45 years and never been around anyone who does it better!

Your invitation to OEA, Leibensperger in particular, to public debate is a much-awaited event. I believe we could sell tickets. I would be proud to be in your corner.

My thought is that neither OEA or Leibensperger will accept the challenge. I think they know they can't survive the factual data, as supplied by their own union and our retirement system, combined with your expertise and logic. Even though they can afford the costs of making any kind of arrangements, publicity, propaganda, etc., they cannot afford to be publicly exposed for their unethical, even fraudulent, behavior past and present. Such a public conversation would only lend itself to additional STRS/OEA condemnation among uninformed educators, board members, and taxpayers.

However, the rules have changed in our favor. Due to your tenure on the Board, the membership of OEA and STRS will never again be totally subservient to the brainwashing tactics stakeholders have been exposed to during their careers.

There is a growing number of OEA/STRS-literate actives and retirees who will no longer sit on their hands and play the role of the union-indoctrinated passive, apathetic educator. There are still too many who have not actively sought out available information but that number is shrinking as this letter is being written. I know because concerned educators have contacted me. And I know they have contacted others who have refused to look the other way, charter advocates like John Lazares, Kathie Bracy, Tom Curtis, John Curry, Molly Janczyk, and members of CORE. Especially encouraging are the new faces that have entered the fray, men like Jim Stoll, Bob Stein, Ralph Roshong, and Rich DeColibus.

Never again will OEA and STRS have a free pass.

Dennis, you cannot be replaced on the Board. You are a true pioneer in what you have accomplished. That ground had never been traversed. But you have been an inspiration to others who will strive to advocate, to educate, to question, to debate, to watchdog and to reform on behalf of 450,000 educators and their beneficiaries. No one will ever have your unique style but you have provided a template and produced proteges who have learned from a master mentor.

From a 45-year educator, I can not express adequately my sincere gratitude for what you have accomplished as an advocate for the security of families of Ohio's active and retired educators.

Jim N. Reed

Dr. Leone challenges the OEA to a debate! "OEA can pick the date, the time, and location. I will be there."

From Molly Janczyk, April 20, 2009
OEA hides behind closed doors when asked for open debate.

They have never even responded to requests.

Not their style which is to hurl accusations hoping something sticks with their loyalists regardless of truth-even when facts are proven correct by their opponents.

Silence is their modus operandi coupled with repeated attacks of any who may disagree with them. They haven't the nerve to debate. Bill L. literally shakes when directly aproached with facts, hangs his head and cannot come up with on the spot reasons for his behind the scenes letters. His way is to write letters without any resistance and put out inuendo.

HOW DO I KNOW? I have directly approached him, confronted him, met with him when he was in the room with those who politely do not support him. I and others have noticed his obvious discomfort in a 'live' venue. Easy to sit behind a desk and issue statements, tell others he will help them write letters and speak to supporters or to STRS behind a podium with no one able to question him.

He hasn't the courage for a real debate in a live setting.

My opinion based on years of communication with him.

-----
Dennis Leone: A bold challenge to Pat Frost-Brooks, Bill Leibensperger and Tim Myers

Think they're up to it?

From Dennis Leone, April 20, 2009

I remember several things very, very clearly about the statewide communication by OEA President Gary Allen in the summer of 2003. (It advised OEA members to contact Bill Leibensperger if they had further questions.) Allen described my 2003 findings of STRS board/staff wasteful spending (and this is verbatim) as “misrepresentations,” as “destructive” and “written with unclear motive.” These things I will never forget. He also wrote in this statewide email of how OEA supported Herb Dyer and the big spender STRS board members of that time period (six of whom – Jack Chapman, Hazel Sidaway, Eugene Norris, Debra Scott, Michael Billirakis, and Joe Endry – all were later convicted in court of ethics violations, along with Herb Dyer himself). Allen wrote this during the summer of 2003, after my 13-page report came out in May of that year. In the recent 2009 statewide email, OEA is now calling me a “dissident board member.” While I was the only board member who originally pushed for the suspension of bonus checks – which OEA now says it supports – OEA-backed board members Ramser, Meuser, and Myers did NOT vote in support of the bonus suspension. OEA writes that it is proud of these three STRS board members – but strangely did not say it is proud of STRS board member Tai Hayden, who also is an OEA member. Was this because she voted in favor of what I proposed, which was the bonus suspension? OEA has sunk to a new low, and apparently is not even aware that its own board members at STRS (except Tai Hayden) are voting against what OEA says it supports.

I would love to have the opportunity to debate the current STRS issues in a public forum with Patricia Frost-Brooks and Bill Leibensperger sitting across the table. Is there anyone out there who could arrange such a thing? OEA can pick the date, the time, and location. I will be there. Board member Tim Myers says the teachers he has spoken to in his district – Elida Local Schools – are NOT opposed to the current bonus checks. I’d love to have the opportunity to address them as well. Betcha Myers isn’t willing to set it up. I recall once asking for an audience with the Dublin City School District teachers after the Dublin teacher union president Dawn Leibensperger (does that name sound familiar?) gave her opinion of my 2003 report to the teachers there. My “equal time” request, of course, was denied by Mrs. Leibensperger. In fact, she expressed her distaste that I even asked for it.

There are emails, letters, and tapes that verify everything I have said above.

Dennis Leone

Election talk: Bill Leibensperger, Molly Janczyk and Kathy Russell

From Molly Janczyk, April 20, 2009
Subject: Double Talk, again!: KATHRYN, Vote for Carol Correthers

Interesting double talk AGAIN from OEA! The FACT IS: -STRS IS CONSIDERING RAISING THE AGE OF RETIREMENT AND AS BILL SAYS: ALL THINGS ARE ON THE TABLE! THAT IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS!!!! Source: STRS Board and OEA Candidate McGreevy who answered in the affirmative when I put this question out and he answered: All things are on the table to my asking if upping retirement age was being considered. -If anyone is naive enough to think that upping contributions IS NOT being considered, well, there is a bridge I 'd like to sell you as I need the money to pay for health care. -UPPING CONTRIBUTIONS DOES TAKE LEGISLATION! -UPPING RETIREMENT AGE TO MY KNOWLEDGE TAKES STRS BOARD APPROVAL AND DOES NOT NEED LEGISLATION: CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG: I have been told for years that the STRS Board CAN do this themselves!!!!!

If anyone is using smoke and mirrors it is OEA/OEA-R! NOT JAMES STOLL who is trying to get facts out to actives! BILL L. HAS ALWAYS IN MY OPNION SKIRTED FACTS WITH RHETORIC AND USED ALARMIST' TACTICS TO SWAY VOTERS AWAY FROM FACTS! JAMES STOLL, LIKE DENNIS LEONE, USES STRS FIGURES NOT OEA SHROUDED ONES.

EDUCATORS: SHOULD YOUR STUDENTS PASS BECAUSE THEY DID BETTER THAN THE NEXT CLASS EVEN THO THEY UNDERPREFORMED? THAT IS BILL L./OEA/STRS LOGIC.

IT IS YOUR MONEY AWARDED STRS STAFF WHEN YOU CANNOT AFFORD YOUR MEDICAL BILLS IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES! STRS EXISTS BECAUSE OF YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS AND YOU, THE SHAREHOLDER, SHOULD COME FIRST!!!! DO YOU?

IF ONLY STRS, OEA, OFT alarmed folks long ago of this impending crisis AND THEY KNEW IT WAS COMING SINCE THE EARLY 90's! JOE ENDRY advised them at that time change was needed and legislation was in the offing to mandate health care. OEA AND STRS said it was not necessary! Former Exec Direc and OEA's pick Dyer said he wanted out of the health care business and it seems that is just where we were headed-spend what's left and then say, we're out. WHAT STOPPED THIS??? A FEW RETIREES HEADED BY DENNIS LEONE AND JOHN LAZARES WHO BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE MEDIA MUCH TO OEA's DISMAY! OEA's reaction was to hurl accusations and untruths slandering Leone never to apologize even though Leone was proven correct on all counts and Dyer and his 5 ACTIVE STRS OEA BOARD MEMBERS AND ONE RETIREE FOLLOWER WERE ALL CONVICTED OF ETHICS VIOLATIONS! They chose to ride the wave of the market, spend on themselves and NOT act prudently on behalf of membership with long term planning to secure health care funding. You can deny bad behavior all you want BUT WHEN DOES I T BECOME PAINFULLY AND BLATANTLY CLEAR THAT STRS AND OEA DID NOT PROTECT MEMBERSHIP??

JAMES STOLL IS TRYING TO EDUCATE YOU AND PROTECT YOUR FUTURES! LEONE AND LAZARES WARNED FOR YEARS THAT PENSIONS MAY BE JEOPARDIZED IF STRS CONTINUED ITS PATH! HERE WE ARE! STRS IS CONCERNED ABOUT PENSIONS FOR ITS ACTIVES DOWN THE ROAD!

Head in the sand or research yourselves the real facts! Listening to Bill L. will only ease your minds short term but Leone, Stoll, Lazares try to inform and work towards long term solutions to protect you.

Jim Stoll: Active STRS Board Candidate Bob Stein: Retiree STRS Board Candidate

McGreevy is OEA-R prototype and though a nice man, I feel unable to leave his comfort zone to vote for real change against his comrades.

From Bill Leibensperger, April 9, 2009
Subject: RE: KATHRYN, Vote for Carol Correthers

Dear Ms. Russell,

I’m afraid someone has sold you a bill of goods, but I certainly respect your right to vote for the candidate of your choice.

There are two key reasons we did not endorse Mr. Stoll for this position: 1) he didn't screen, and 2) Carol Correthers is a superior candidate. She is the OEA-endorsed candidate, which means that she has passed a screening made up of knowledgeable members representing both active and retired teachers. The questions to which she responded required an in-depth knowledge of the issues, a commitment to serve all, and an understanding of the duty.

I20am guessing that your members are responding to the deceptive communication from her opponent. I have seen the chart that Mr. Stoll is sending around. Probably a majority of members are "frosted" over the whole bonus thing. Unfortunately, there are those (including a current Board member who is supporting Mr. Stoll) who would pander to members' emotions and fears in order to make themselves look good, rather than work collaboratively with others to protect the integrity of a very strong system that will take care of all of us for the rest of our lives.

Mr. Stoll's email has selected "facts." One of the important ones missing is that the Board did approve a new bonus policy without a dissenting vote after much deliberation and preliminary voting. Another fact that is difficult for many of us as teachers to understand is that bonuses are actually the way investment staff are paid throughout the industry. STRS investment staff have outperformed the industry, but the Board in their wisdom and in respect to the members they serve have passed a policy that curtails bonuses when there are losses (even when the losses are significantly less than the overall market).

Carol Correthers does support strong operational controls and understands that members expect STRS to run their operations in a prudent way. I think you can rest assured that Carol will always make go od decisions based on intelligent deliberation and a strong commitment to all members of the system. Certainly she will not try to alarm members with "the sky is falling" kinds of messages, as she understands the gravity of the position for which she is running. Members will find her very accessible.

It is important that we protect our retirement by electing intelligent, reflective, and hardworking representatives who will do their homework and never put any personal interests ahead of the well being of current and future retirees. I hope we can count on you to support OEA-endorsed candidate Carol Correthers. She has my vote.

Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

Bill Leibensperger
Vice President
Ohio Education Association

From Kathy Russell, April 6, 2009
Posted To: govtsrv Conversation: KATHRYN, Vote for Carol Correthers
Subject: Re: KATHRYN, Vote for Carol Correthers

Dear Mr. Leibensperger,

I hope you are aware that more and more people are becoming very upset about the policies of the OEA and particularly the way the OEA endorsed candidates who are elected to the STRS board have been wasting our hard earned retirement money. More and more active teachers are watching what is going on at STRS and are choosing to vote for the other candidates, NOT endorsed by the OEA. We would much rather elect people who have our best interests at heart like Dennis Leone. We are tired of the way the STRS board has wasted our money on extravagances for themselves when they should have been taking better care of OUR money. Thanks to your board members, retired teachers no longer get a 13th check, the health care fund is in serious danger of being completely depleted, and the retirement fund has lost many billions of dollars. We would rather elect someone who will actually be responsible to take care of OUR money, not just say they will, and then do whatever the OEA tells them to do with it. Furthermore, we are appalled by the way the OEA refuses to allow the other candidates to campaign in the public schools. EVERY candidate has a right to campaign and should be allowed to put fliers in any school they wish to. It is outrageous that the OEA representatives in many school districts will only allow campaigning for their own can didates. I, for one, will be voting for JIM STOLL, not Carol Carrethers.

Sincerely,
Kathryn Russell

From Bill Leibensperger, April 6, 2009
Subject: KATHRYN, Vote for Carol Correthers

Dear KATHRYN,

Those of you who are active teachers and contribute to STRS will be receiving a ballot in the mail in the next few days to elect a new member to the STRS Board. OEA has endorsed Carol Correthers for this position. Carol is a special education teacher in the Lorain City Schools. She has a wide range of experience, including service on the OEA Board of Directors and a local school board. She is committed to this important role and in her advocacy for our members.

The current state of our economy and the rapid decline in stock prices over the last 18 months has made the benefit of belonging to STRS even more valuable. I’m sure you all have friends or family members who have lost their jobs or lost their retirement savings. For Ohio’s teachers, the benefits provided by STRS represent our economic security in retirement, and OEA will continue to work to protect those benefits. This will not be easy. STRS has experienced more than $30 billion in market losses, and the STRS board and staff must work together to address policies on how to manage retirement and health care funds as we wait for the securities markets to recover. At times like these, we need strong, experienced members on the STRS Board to help ensure that we continue to have the pension and retiree health care benefits we need and deserve. Carol Correthers is just such a person.

Carol is a classroom teacher who has earned the endorsement of both OEA and the Ohio Federation of Teachers. Through her experience on other boards, she’s overseen budgets, set policy and dealt with personnel issues. She knows that collaboration and thoughtful judgments yield better results for our members than knee-jerk reactions, bombast and combativeness. However, make no mistake: Carol is a strong and decisive leader.

I noted with dismay that in a recent campaign email, Carol’s opponent implies that STRS might raise the retirement age, increase required contribution rates from members or make other changes to our pension benefits. The fact is the STRS Board does not have the power to do any of these things. Such changes require a change in state law. What is true is that the STRS Board is examining changes that they may recommend for legislation and that “everything is on the table.” Given the critical nature of these discussions, I feel it’s more important than ever to have Board members with the knowledge, experience and temperament to serve in this important role.

Please make the time to vote in the upcoming STRS Board election, and I encourage you to vote for Carol Correthers.

Retired members of STRS will be electing two new Board members. OEA has endorsed James McGreevy and David Preslan for these seats on the Board. Please do all that you can to get out the vote among retirees to get these two highly qualified gentlemen elected. More information on each of OEA’s endorsed candidates is available on www.ohea.org.

Sincerely, Bill Leibensperger
OEA Vice-President

Dennis Leone: A bold challenge to Pat Frost-Brooks, Bill Leibensperger and Tim Myers

Think they're up to it?

From Dennis Leone, April 20, 2009

I remember several things very, very clearly about the statewide communication by OEA President Gary Allen in the summer of 2003. (It advised OEA members to contact Bill Leibensperger if they had further questions.) Allen described my 2003 findings of STRS board/staff wasteful spending (and this is verbatim) as “misrepresentations,” as “destructive” and “written with unclear motive.” These things I will never forget. He also wrote in this statewide email of how OEA supported Herb Dyer and the big spender STRS board members of that time period (six of whom – Jack Chapman, Hazel Sidaway, Eugene Norris, Debra Scott, Michael Billirakis, and Joe Endry – all were later convicted in court of ethics violations, along with Herb Dyer himself). Allen wrote this during the summer of 2003, after my 13-page report came out in May of that year. In the recent 2009 statewide email, OEA is now calling me a “dissident board member.” While I was the only board member who originally pushed for the suspension of bonus checks – which OEA now says it supports – OEA-backed board members Ramser, Meuser, and Myers did NOT vote in support of the bonus suspension. OEA writes that it is proud of these three STRS board members – but strangely did not say it is proud of STRS board member Tai Hayden, who also is an OEA member. Was this because she voted in favor of what I proposed, which was the bonus suspension? OEA has sunk to a new low, and apparently is not even aware that its own board members at STRS (except Tai Hayden) are voting against what OEA says it supports.

I would love to have the opportunity to debate the current STRS issues in a public forum with Patricia Frost-Brooks and Bill Leibensperger sitting across the table. Is there anyone out there who could arrange such a thing? OEA can pick the date, the time, and location. I will be there. Board member Tim Myers says the teachers he has spoken to in his district – Elida Local Schools – are NOT opposed to the current bonus checks. I’d love to have the opportunity to address them as well. Betcha Myers isn’t willing to set it up. I recall once asking for an audience with the Dublin City School District teachers after the Dublin teacher union president Dawn Leibensperger (does that name sound familiar?) gave her opinion of my 2003 report to the teachers there. My “equal time” request, of course, was denied by Mrs. Leibensperger. In fact, she expressed her distaste that I even asked for it.

There are emails, letters, and tapes that verify everything I have said above.

Dennis Leone
STRS Retiree Board Member
April 20, 2009

Six years later and they're STILL in the same grade!

Memo from Gary Allen, June 17, 2003

Executive Committee, District Leaders, Local Presidents, OEA-R Advisory Council, STRS Board Members

From: Gary L. Allen, President
Re: STRS Health Care

Recently, Dennis Leone, superintendent of the Chillicothe school district, distributed via e-mail the statement and related report he presented to the board of the Ohio State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) on May 16, 2003. Some recipients have elected to indiscriminately broadcast the report despite its misrepresentations. In response to related inquiries from leaders and members, we are distributing the following statement.

If you are asked to respond to questions regarding Mr. Leone's report, I request that you use the following report to frame your response. The OEA is committed to protecting the pension benefits of current and future retirees and ensuring that they receive affordable, adequate, high quality health care. We believe that the STRS Board and staff are equally committed. We will continue to operate according to that principle.

If you have questions about this matter, please contact me or Bill Leibensperger, or of course, STRS.

Gary L. Allen

OEA Statement

As officers of the Ohio Education Association, we are very much aware of the allegations toward STRS contained in the document written and widely distributed by Dennis Leone, Superintendent of Chillicothe City Schools.

Despite his efforts to discredit STRS management, the OEA remains committed to working with STRS and its staff to find solutions to the health care crisis that is affecting our members. Especially through our work with the Health Care Advocates for STRS, the OEA's focus remains on fixing the problem, rather than fixing blame.

Although Mr. Leone's allegations raise concerns, many of the incidents he wants "corrected" occurred in the past and cannot be changed. The context in which he addresses these issues appears to be of his own creation. The STRS Board and management have addressed the issues Mr. Leone presents. These issues need to be reviewed continually and any resulting change needs to be for the benefit of current and future retirees. The present members of the STRS Board are committed to improving the operation of STRS. We encourage them to communicate these improvements to members. While improving its operation is important, STRS is finding solutions to the health care crisis for now and in the future. The OEA supports this effort.

Mr. Leone's motives for his decision to broadcast his claims far and wide are unclear. Much of his logic is difficult to follow. In contrast, the OEA's purpose and reasoning are clear: we will work with the Health Care Advocates and the STRS Board to protect and promote the welfare of current and future STRS beneficiaries. We respect that - first -- STRS must protect our guaranteed pensions, and recognize that the Board fulfills its fiduciary responsibility in doing so. Anyone can point fingers and create division, especially with the advantage of hindsight and when communicating about such an emotionally charged issue, but the OEA refuses to operate in that destructive way. We believe in the integrity of the State Teachers Retirement System and the individuals on the Board. We remain committed to working with them in a unified way to solve problems and create solutions for the benefit of our shared constituency.

[I love this sentence from Gary's memo: "We believe in the integrity of the State Teachers Retirement System and the individuals on the Board." Heck, weren't those the same Board members who either got kicked off the STRS Board (by the state legislature: Jim Petro and Betty Montgomery) or received criminal convictions three years later for ethics violations (OEA leaders who served on the STRS Board in 2003 or later: Hazel Sidaway, Jack Chapman, Eugene Norris, Debbie Scott and also former OEA president Mike Billirakis)? Gary Allen sure makes a mockery of the word "integrity," doesn't he? KBB]

A list of 'dangerous half-truths,' please

Kathie Bracy to Bill Leibensperger, April 18, 2009
Subject: Half-truths
Dear Bill,
Something you mentioned in a recent letter to an educator has me very concerned:
"Mr. Stoll's recent appearance on WKRC-TV is just another example of the spreading of dangerous half-truths that jeopardize the integrity of the system."
This is a pretty serious charge; would you please send me a list of the "dangerous half-truths" you are referring to in connection with Jim Stoll's TV appearance (or any other connected with Mr. Stoll) so I can investigate them?
Thank you.
Kathie Bracy

John Curry to Bill Leibensperger: You have let down your OEA membership re: their retirement security

From John Curry, April 18, 2009
Subject: Your letter to a concerned active educator
Bill...from a recent letter your wrote to an active educator (listed below). I have included my comments in red italics.

From Bill Leibensperger (no date)

Dear (Name omitted)

Carol Correthers does support strong operational controls and understands that members expect STRS to run their operations in a prudent way. I think you can rest assured that Carol will always make good decisions based on intelligent deliberation and a strong commitment to all members of the system. Certainly she will not try to alarm members with "the sky is falling" kinds of messages, as she understands the gravity of the position for which she is running. (Bill, Jim Stoll has recently enlightened active educators as to the financial condition of OUR retirement system. This not-so-good-news was only recently related to all STRS stakeholders by official communication in the form of a mail-out by STRS just this past month [only after Mr. Stoll had alerted active educators.] The "snail mail" release from STRS was issued because of increased pressure by Jim Stoll and others to inform STRS stakeholders of the miserable shape that STRS, as well as other public pension systems in this country, are really in and have been in. Neither STRS nor the OEA has taken an active roll in educating the educators of this serious predicament we are all in and have been in.. Your OEA membership depends upon you to keep them abreast of their retirement security and your organization has let them down in this respect.) You will find her very accessible. (I have yet to see her contact information issued so that she can be contacted in reference to her views re. STRS. If this contact information was issued then I'm sure you will be glad to furnish this information forthwith as Mr. Stoll has related this same information to all who were interested in contacting him.)

I am guessing that you are responding to the deceptive communications from her opponent (who, by the way, did not choose to participate in OEA's rigorous screening process). I am certain that you are among the majority of members who are "frosted" over the whole bonus thing. (Apparently some of your very own OEA endorsed "active" teacher STRS board members weren't just "too frosted" over the "whole bonus thing" as they, at the March 2009 board meeting, continued to vote "no" to an amendment which would have temporarily frozen the investment bonuses. Those OEA endorsed "active" teacher board members who didn't vote in the affirmative to freeze the bonuses were Tim Myers, Mark Meuser and Conni Ramser. Only one of the OEA endorsed active board members, Tai Hayden, had the wisdom to vote with the majority [to freeze the bonuses] on that day.) Unfortunately, there are those (including a current Board member who is supporting Mr. Stoll) who would pander to our emotions and fears in order to make themselves look good, rather than work collaboratively with others to protect the integrity of a very strong system that will take care of all of us for the rest of our lives.(Bill, that "very strong system" who is taking care of this 30 year retiree also currently wants $967 per month to "take care" of this retiree and my spouse with an 80/20 PPO healthcare plan that the same 30 year dump truck driver retiree under OPERS pays only $80 per month for the same coverage for spouse and self...what happened to OEA leadership on this issue? Does OEA's leadership and concern for educators discontinue when an educator retires and quits paying OEA dues?) Mr. Stoll's recent appearance on WKRC-TV is just another example of the spreading of dangerous half-truths that jeopardize the integrity of the system. (In my mind, a prime example of a "half-truth" is when your President, Ms. Frost-Brooks, takes the position that STRS investor "bonuses" are distasteful when, in fact, the move to quash bonuses was, during the March bonus vote at STRS, given a nose-thumbing by the majority of your OEA endorsed active teacher board members.) Why he believes that our hard-earned pension money belongs to the taxpayers is beyond my understanding. (The issue of whether or not taxpayer monies cease to be taxpayer monies once the school district receives the tax monies from county treasurers continue to be one of disputed legal interpretations and I won't attempt to judge whether, in fact, it is still taxpayer monies once it arrives at the local school district or not. But, what I will relate is that of those "taxpayer monies" that do go to the local school currently are 14% of every "teacher pay" dollar a contributing school system pays to STRS for retirement for their teachers. The teachers contribute 10% additionally, so....the taxpayer, in my mind, has every right to be concerned where and how tax monies are spent.) Who does he think he would represent?

Mr. Stoll's email has selected "facts." One of the important ones missing is that the Board did approve a new bonus policy without a dissenting vote (Bill, you forgot to mention the bonus issue 5-5 tie votes that took place just before the final "new bonus policy" vote was cast after the majority of your OEA backed active educators just couldn't seem to be able to vote for a temporary suspension of bonuses. After Ex. Director Nehf stated that he could live with a bonus suspension the majority of your endorsed "active" board members changed their previous votes so as to align with the majority. This, Bill, is a real example of a "half-truth" to your membership.) after much deliberation and preliminary voting. Another fact that is difficult for us as teachers to understand is that bonuses are actually the way investment staff are paid throughout the industry. STRS investment staff have outperformed the industry, but the Board in their wisdom and in respect to the members they serve have passed a policy that curtails bonuses when there are losses (even when the losses are significantly less than the overall market).

It is important that we protect our retirement by electing intelligent, reflective, and hardworking representatives who will do their homework and never put any personal interests ahead of the well being of current and future retirees. I hope we can count on you to support OEA-endorsed candidate Carol Correthers. She has my vote.

Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

Sincerely,
Bill Leibensperger
Vice President
Ohio Education Association

P.S. Bill, please spend your and the OEA's energy and money to find that "dedicated stream of (healthcare) revenue" that you and the OEA have touted for the better part of the last decade rather than your current and past practice of only giving it "lip service." To many retirees.... the sky has already fallen!

John Curry

A retired educator and STRS stakeholder

Molly Janczyk: STRS and Ethics

From Molly Janczyk, December 12, 2008
Subject: STRS & Ethics: My Opinion

I am gravely concerned and deeply disappointed in what I perceive as the continued loose ethical behavior at STRS. Dyer stated STRS money was his or theirs to do with what he wanted. He was forced to resign for such arrogant and defiant statements. Asbury had his own questionable ethics regarding various issues written about multiple times. But, STRS shareholders had high hopes for the new Exec. Director, Mike Nehf, who seemed aware and determined to make Ethics standards at STRS something that could be trusted.

Mike Nehf is said to have taken it upon himself to solely decide and gift the STRS staff with an additional day off: the Friday after Thanksgiving . This day is not a contractual day off and one would have to use their contracted vacation days to take it as vacation. But, Nehf felt the staff simply deserved to have this day without using contract days. A 'gift' from him to them.

Did Nehf pay for this gift? No, WE DID! It is STRS earnings on our contributions that once again gave STRS staff a perk not within the contract. Do we care if anyone else in the U.S. has done this? No. Perhaps, other systems give this day but are they at the expense of shareholders or contractual? Either way, who cares? It is OUR money and NOT Nehf's to spend as he wishes. The cost of this gift given by Nehf to the staff and paid for without our consent: $175,000.

Past attitudes would be to smirk and say: "We don't get it! It would not pay for health care anyway." We get that-obviously. Health care costs self insured STRS $1.5 Million per day. What THEY don't get is: If one can just simply decide to gift the staff with perks worth $175,000 for ONE DAY OFF, then it can just as easily gift needy retirees with $175,000 for meds, treatments, necessitites. STRS states this kind of thing keeps staff happy and they work so hard. Heard that before?

Well, I can tell you with assurance that 175 retirees earning less than they can survive on, would be VERY HAPPY to receive $1000 each! I have repeatedly asked for a charitable fund for needy retirees over and above the assistance program. Many, many retirees are having difficulty paying for groceries and meds and treatments and Dr. visits. They have cut meds, reduced or stopped meds and treatments and Dr. visits.

Mr. Nehf: How do you look them in the eye and tell them you gave our money to provide an extra non-contractual day off to make it nice for our employees? You email STRS rhetoric but it is becoming increasingly and uneasily apparent you share the arrogant and unfeeling lack of ethics your former Exec. Directors possessed.

Where exactly, in this time of crisis, do you think your staff will depart for to engage better employment? What staff, anyway, is not having to cut back and rethink bonus programs, benefits and extras of any kind during such a downturn? How on earth did you think this was OK-to give away $175,000 of your shareholder's money in a catastrophic financial crunch?

Where is OUR help to get through this? What have you done for US?

Educators are a modest group wanting only a secure retirement and health care. Giving away $175,000 here and there does add up and it JUST LOOKS BAD! Should I spend $1000 on something short term because it won't pay for the home I want anyway? If I keep doing that, I will never get there. It is only $6 Million, it is only $175,000, and so on. This is precisely what we experienced with Dyer and Asbury.

OEA diehards would say it is WE who draw attention to STRS behavior and thus hurt chances of passing HB315. I say WHY is STRS behaving in ways that need attention and THAT is what is hurting chances with HB315. THAT is why school boards say they mismanage money. IF STRS has money to do such things, how hard up are they? School boards are NOT listening. Slick Bill Leibensperger who was reimbursed $40,000+ for his expenses on top of a $150,000 salary and probably an educator salary as well, had the constant habit of smirking at us along with his equally slick wannabe's. They wanted us to help with HB315 -- which we unfailingly did. EVERY legislator possible was met with by CORE leaders. CORE solicited letters, emails, and calls on behalf of HB315. But, OEA has little use and leaves no doubt of its disdain for CORE when unwanted items are brought to shareholder attention.

QUESTION: WHERE IS OEA and OEA-R and ORTA when unethical behaviors are rumored or revealed at STRS? OEA did nothing in 2003 and they do nothing now expect to support STRS. ORTA and OEA should be holding STRS accountable and providing oversight on behalf of membership. Instead, they defended STRS even when undisputable evidence was provided. They fought those who blew the whistle on STRS and impugned their reputations hoping something would stick. Changes were forced due to media attention. Now, evidence again, that STRS is making its own decisions without contracts to support them.

I will tell you that all those organizations will breathe a sigh of relief on 9/01/2009 when Dennis Leone is no longer a STRS Board member. NO ONE will be there any longer to provide oversight on behalf of membership-OEA , OEA-r and ORTA call it micromanaging. No one will care nor find out about spending $175,000 of membership money for an extra day off cause the Exec. Direc. wants to gift staff rather than have them use their days properly. No one will mind the bonus figures or travel expenses. They will be blips in the budget all bunched together with no one to question what the figure includes. No one will delve into proper handling of sick and personal days or even care for that matter. Most will be lulled into complacency once again and simply want to be told all is ok.

Most retirees and actives only want to live their lives and not be bothered. And the status quo at STRS will once again reign supreme with no or little questioning. If any do bother, they will be pacified by STRS rhetoric, STRS legal advice and STRS 'experts' only speaking STRS bias. Board members will then feel they have done their fiduciary duty cause they asked a question. They will never go into the rank and file or delve into records or see red flags and go to the source as Leone does. STRS and OEA, OEA-R and ORTA have outweighted us. They are big and strong and have power and money to do as they wish. 9/01/09 will come soon enough for them and all will be well again for them on Broad St.

Ethics? Legal? Often two different areas and not necessarily having the same outcome. STRS walks the line most of the time to be legal. Who cares about ethics here and there? HB315? Sit in lawmakers seats and on school boards and look at figures. Watch STRS behavior and look at OPERS who operates with prudence and long term planning that is not reliant on in house or out of house or numbers of employees.

Lawmakers would be impressed if STRS took the lead by increasing the years for retirement to enforce the decrease in unfunded liability with working longer and withdrawing later, applying a percent of pension for health care premiums to help those with less and let those with more pay more, making 20 yrs. early retirement and only offering health care access to those with 15-19 years. All 6 or more years out from retiring. Lawmakers are looking at increased years for retirement already. If STRS took this lead and enforced some of these changes, lawmakers may look at HB315 more favorably since it was willing to make changes as well and not just ask for change. Yes, it is educator contribution increasing but more than that has to occur for legislators to approve HB315 as well as swaying school boards.

Many lawmakers look at the 35% rule and feel educators will have enough to pay their own way with pensions far superior to Soc. Sec. benefits. They fail to see those of us who had no opportunity to achieve the 35 yr rule retiring before it became available. Yes, we benefitted for the bill but with the cost of inflation and simple stagnant COLAS are now losing money every year whereas those who are seeking the 35 year rule continue to gain because of increasing salaries annually.

STRS needs to reconfigure the 35 yr. rule in light of its current retirees declining in benefits with inflation, overwhelming health care costs and stagnant COLAS while actives work towards an ever increasing salary range under which to retire.

Most of those areas can all be done without legislation and simply because STRS wants to truly distribute its assets fairly for all vs. just the active educators. Lawmakers would see STRS is working hard to realign for the betterment of total membership as well as to conserve and decrease its unfunded liability.

I continue to be dismayed by the retirement system who does not see ALL its faces or listen to their voices of true need. A system is only as strong as the weakest among it. Religion, morality, ethics- all speak to helping your brothers and sisters, your neighbors and friends. That, would , I think, include ALL our fellow educators-those who came before and grew the organizations and paved the way for today's educators. Current retirees fight for future retirees having paid an untenable cost trying to preserve health care for us and for them. Where are the active educators who fight for US????


Where is Mike Nehf leading a new more ethical STRS looking at every expense and asking himself: How would I address this issue with my membership? How would I answer needy retirees not just with standard rhetoric but with compassionate and earnest understanding of their crisis and fighting for improvement of their benefits - not simply my staff? Compromises can be made and better standards for all-membership foremost according to ORC:3307.15. Make it evident how you fight for your retirees, Mike! Who will question YOU when Leone is gone. Shouldn't YOU be questioning yourself? That is who we thought we hired.

**You will not be questioned by OEA, OEA-R or ORTA with any real in depth efforts. They will be happy with whatever STRS and OEA tells them.
There is no shortage of greed at STRS and no shortage of rationalization to support it by the Board. When one only listens to one side, one does not grow. When STRS only invites 'experts' who are going to strengthen their argument, nothing is gained. All sides should be heard, weighed and researched in depth.

Molly Janczyk
STRS Retiree

Columbus Dispatch re OEA staff wages: The OEA pays 102 employees six-figure salaries; five get more than governor

http://dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/11/29/unionyes.ART_ART_11-29-08_A1_5PC2RH8.html?sid=101
OEA staff wages

Teachers union's pay a surprise to many

Saturday, November 29, 2008

By Bill Bush
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
The average salary for Ohio teachers dropped last year for the first time in at least seven years, but that's not the case for most employees of the state's largest teachers union.

Counting everyone from receptionists up to the executive director, the median salary for the 234-person staff of the Columbus-based Ohio Education Association is nearly $82,000.

The OEA pays 102 employees six-figure salaries, including 34 who made more than $120,000 for the fiscal year that ended in August.

The highest paid employee is Executive Director Dennis Reardon, who was paid $176,317, according to the union's annual report on file with the U.S. Department of Labor.

OEA President Patricia Frost-Brooks was paid $172,574, and the union's vice president and treasurer each were paid about $151,400.

"My gut feeling is that the average school teacher in our district has no idea what the average (union representative) is making," said Kevin Fourman, past president of the Bucyrus Education Association.

In all, three-fourths of the OEA staff make more than the $53,410 the average Ohio teacher was paid last school year, and almost one-third made more than the $113,890 average salary of the state's superintendents.

The OEA's officers and employees also were reimbursed a total of more than $2 million for business expenses, which the annual report doesn't detail. Almost half the staff were reimbursed more than $10,600 each, with the top reimbursement of $40,463 going to Vice President William Leibensperger.

The union says these reimbursements cover expenses including travel and supplies.

Spokesman Mike Mahoney said the salaries are appropriate for a staff that provides lobbying, research, education-improvement initiatives, legal services and communications comparable to other similar-size affiliates of the National Educational Association.

In response to the teachers' pay falling last year, the OEA froze the salaries of five top officials, Mahoney said.

Members pay $477 in annual dues to the union, which represents 130,000 people statewide, including Columbus public teachers.

"It's a very democratically run organization," Mahoney said. "We don't keep (the salaries) a secret."

But the leaders of some OEA locals contacted across the state said they had no idea that state union officials were paid so much.

"I am a little shocked," said Lima Education Association President Lori Ruschau-Will, whose local signed a new contract last year that included no pay raises.

"I was not aware that they made that much money.

"I think the classroom teachers have a problem with any management person making six figures. That's because they're not in the trenches dealing with the students day to day. Education is supposed to be about the students."

New teachers in Bucyrus are paid about $28,300 a year, and the top salary is a little more than $57,800, said Fourman, of the Bucyrus Education Association.

He said the state union officials' salaries would "raise an eyebrow" among teachers.

"I certainly think that somewhere out there, there would be an educator who would be surprised or resentful that (OEA officials are) making a lot more than the teachers in the classrooms," Fourman said.

The state's second-largest teachers union, the 16,250-member Ohio Federation of Teachers, paid President Susan Taylor $22,733 for the fiscal year that ended in June.

At the same time, the union reimbursed Cincinnati Public Schools, where Taylor is on leave from her teaching job, $100,700 for her salary and benefits.

The benefits account for about one-third of the reimbursement, Taylor estimated.

None of the federation's employees is paid more than $100,000.

The OEA does not report individual employees' benefits.

bbush@dispatch.com
Click image to enlarge

Molly Janczyk re: Bonuses and 13th check

From Molly Janczyk, November 13, 2008
Subject: RE: Bonuses and 13th check

Let's say there are 110,000 retirees. I am not sure of the current number. Was 105,000 and I saw close to 145,000 somewhere.

100,000 x $400 for each retiree in 13th ck = $40 million annually.
There are over 100,000 retirees and $400 is a low amount.
I rec'd over that in my first and only year of receiving a 13th ck in 12/99.

It seems so small to us but that is a lot of discretionary money and STRS and HCA have stated no use of discretionary monies until STRS is 30 yrs or below for their unfunded liability (basically a 30 yr debt to payout pensions and the recommended number given by the Ohio Retirement Study Council : ORSC) as well as an 80% funding ratio. Put that together with this crisis as the first priority is pensions and all that is mandated. I am unsure where we now stand on unfunded liability ; it did get down to under 30 yrs with our talented investment staff but I think it is now over 30 yrs again.

The point is, for me, appearance and sensitivity to shareholders in times of crisis. We were all thrilled when investment staff made huge gains for us outperforming their goals. Now, though, in times of struggle for shareholders, one expects their system to exercise prudence and decorum. The hugely overpriced bonuses for these times, is salt in our wounds when we cannot expect ANY relief in the form of 13th cks, or compounded COLAS, etc.

However, small changes could be made to show shareholders, STRS is sensitive to them. I outlined many ways monies could be used differently.

OEA will fight to the death over raising years for retirement. Probably, OFT as well. BUT, that is precisely what the ORSC is considering and is in order for a new time. It would be far from punitive to raise years incrementally as Soc Sec did decades ago beginning 6 yrs out so no one who is close to retiring is affected, having planned this. Of course, NO ONE worried about retirees getting hit AFTER THE FACT of retiring and did not grandfather us in. We would never want that to happen to anyone.

There are ALWAYS ways and means to accomplish goals. STRS puts out rhetoric-same ol. BUT, they CAN make such changes without legislation. Of course, our Union block on the STRS Board will fight that over any compassion for current retirees. BILL LEIBENSPERGER will help any active who wants to write a letter as he has stated previously in Ohio Schools.

Will our new Exec. Direc. stand up to the Board and make recommendations that include bettering conditions for retirees as well? So far, not.

Seems unlikely that HB 315 will go anywhere with school boards and so many against it. ORSC would like to see STRS make changes first towards achieving health goals by upping yrs of retirement along with other changes so as to direct more money into HCSF.

OEA STANDS FIRMLY AGAINST ACTIVES TAKING ANY HIT such as this.

From Alice Marson, November 13, 2008
Subject: Bonuses and 13th check

Hi Molly,

If they have that kind of money to pay bonuses why can’t we merit a 13th check?

Alice Marson
Summit Co. STRS

Tom Curtis: Follow-up letter to Bill Leibensperger

July 7, 2008

Hello Bill,

Your failure to respond to my request (below) for a list of positive changes Damon alone brought to STRS comes as no surprise because, simply put, you can't think of any. I can't, either. Your lack of response certainly reflects the mentality of OEA's leadership as it is today: totally out of touch with the original purpose of the organization.

It is clear to me that those in OEA's leadership positions now are far more interested in "being" than in "doing;" being "important" (and rich, compared to the membership) rather than doing a real service to your members (and keeping THEIR dues down). I am well aware, from my own observations, that the OEA leadership will lie and do everything it takes to keep the money coming in from the teachers, money you gladly spend with little oversight. In my mind, the present OEA leadership is no better than the past OEA-connected STRS Board members who ended up in court with ethics convictions. The apples didn't fall far from the tree, did they?

Had Dennis Leone, John Lazares and CORE never come along, you would no doubt have been heaping praise on Damon Asbury for continuing "business as usual" -- continued, unchecked spending while retiree funds hemorrhaged out of control, as in the Herb Dyer days. You and I both know the credit you gave Damon belongs to Dennis Leone, but I don't ever expect you to admit that. That's not "the OEA way." OEA's blinders are bigger than their glasses.

Never ONCE did I see any OEA leaders raise any objections during the entire campaign to end the outrageous spending and unethical policy and management practices on the part of Herb Dyer and the "old Board." Why? Because you were the "power behind the power": the rotten core of the apple, the part teachers never see, but which many of us now see only too clearly. Much of the mess at STRS has been cleaned up, thank God, but there's still plenty that still needs cleaning up. I know I can count on OEA to continue blocking reform every step of the way, because nothing has really changed at 225 E. Broad (OEA). A new face here and there, but the mentality is the same ole' same ole'. Your logo should be those three monkeys, adapted to reflect the OEA way: "See only what OEA wants you to see; hear only what OEA wants to hear and speak only what OEA wants you to hear." Your House of Cards would fall in a minute if the OEA membership could see their leadership for what it really is.

Tom Curtis
-----
June 22, 2008

Bill,

Please humor me by listing all of the wonderful changes that Damon Asbury brought to fruition during his watch at the STRS. But please, only ones not initiated by Dennis Leone.

I look forward to your timely response.

Tom Curtis
-----

Note: The above message was sent 7/7/08 via e-mail to a number of OEA leaders as well as the members of the STRS Board. The inboxes of the following OEA people refused it: Bill Leibensperger, Patricia Frost-Brooks, Dennis Reardon and the OEA Executive Committee. Looks like the Three Monkeys ("See no evil...") are definitely doing their job! KBB

'Transparency' and 'inclusiveness': maybe it depends on what the definition of 'is' is

June 23, 2008

You know, one thing Dennis Leone has been fighting for at STRS since Day One has been transparency, and we are seeing more and more rays of "sunshine" at 275 East Broad. But of course, Bill Leibensperger, in his public speech before the STRS Board last Thursday, gave Damon Asbury, our exiting executive director, all the credit for making STRS "more transparent in its operations" and "more inclusive in its decision-making."

Gee, Bill, did you happen to notice that the very day after your speech Damon told the Board he preferred the staff guidelines to be an Administrative Regulation instead of a Board Policy? I witnessed the Board's 10-0 vote against it (and acceptance of Leone's motion for it to be a Board policy instead)......and Damon did not fight it, but, hey, it was perfectly CLEAR exactly what he was after, and I hardly call that "transparency" or "inclusiveness" -- unless it means including a select, hand-picked few to bestow his transparency upon. What do you think?

Kathie Bracy

Editorial comment: Why is Damon credited for Dennis Leone's work?

June 22, 2008

At last Thursday's STRS Board meeting (6/19/08), one of the public speakers was OEA's Bill Leibensperger, who spoke on behalf of the Healthcare Advocates. He was there to commend Damon Asbury for everything he had done for us during his five years as executive director of STRS. That was all well and good, but then he went on to praise him for all the changes Dennis Leone had brought about!!!
For example:
...1. "A new culture has taken hold at STRS."
...2. "Today STRS is more transparent in its operations....."
...3. ".....more inclusive in its decision-making....."
...4. ".....and more accountable to its members and stakeholders."
...5. "Under your leadership, STRS has regained the trust and confidence of its members. You have truly changed the lives of STRS members for the better."

Not ONE of these changes would have occurred had it not been for Dennis Leone, NOT Damon Asbury. Had Damon had his way, I doubt seriously if ANY of these changes would EVER have taken place. Why does Mr. Leibensperger heap all this praise on the wrong person? Many retirees who are close observers of STRS have a pretty good idea why he might do this.

Did anyone notice that the top "leaders" of OEA (Gary Allen, Patricia Frost-Brooks and Bill Leibensperger) have all separately attacked Dennis Leone over these very issues? Does anyone remember how, in the recent past, Bill Leibensperger and Patricia Frost-Brooks addressed the STRS Board and specifically recommended, publicly, that the Board NOT adopt Dr. Leone's motions which were very carefully designed to accomplish the very reforms Mr. Leibensperger cites above?

Did anyone notice that Damon Asbury actually opposed the Leone motions that got through, that hit those very issues? Gee, and now Bill Leibensperger is praising Damon, giving HIM credit for all the things he resisted and Dennis Leone accomplished? Oh my -- where has Mr. Leibensperger been?

And by the way, where is ORTA these days? Their executive director shows up at meeting after meeting of the STRS Board, but why? She doesn't make speeches and she doesn't take positions, when to do so could be so very helpful to retirees. Never once has ORTA ever supported one single motion that Dennis Leone has proposed that would benefit retired educators in accordance with ORC 3307.15. Why? Could it be that ORTA blames him for the fact that their former president (and former STRS Board member) was convicted on ethics charges, along with a former OEA president (another former STRS Board member) and a whole group of former STRS Board members who also had very strong OEA ties? Hmmm.....now I think I'm beginning to understand why Mr. Leibensperger chooses to heap accolades on Damon Asbury for everything Dennis Leone accomplished but Damon resisted. Duh! Pretty slick.

I also attended the Friday morning session of the STRS Board meeting (6/20/08), where Damon Asbury made a formal recommendation to the Board that the STRS 16-page staff travel guidelines NOT be a Board policy, but instead, a part of Administrative Regulations. I couldn't believe my ears! This would give the executive director carte blanche to do anything he wants, without a policy in place! Sure, go to Honolulu and spend a couple weeks there at our expense if you want! Fly first class and take your spouse (or your significant other) and stay at the fanciest hotel you can find, in the fanciest suite they have; live it up -- eat and drink all you want at the fanciest restaurants in town -- we'll pay for it all!! Heck, why don't you rent a limo while you're at it, we'll pay for that, too. Yes.....can't you see it now? Gee.....bring back "Hairspray" and King's Island and baseball games and parties with booze while you're at it. How 'bout a bunch of you going to Africa for a couple weeks? You could spend an hour or two looking over a possible investment site, but have a good time the rest of the time -- take safaris, whatever. Sure, STRS will pay for it -- heck, why not?

What I don't understand is why, two weeks before the June Board meeting, Damon agreed with Dennis on about a dozen changes that needed to be made in the 16-page travel guidelines for staff, to make them more consistent with the travel policy for Board members, but he also felt strongly that this document should NOT be adopted as a Board policy. Dr. Leone stated very clearly in Friday morning's Board session that his chief concern was the fact that if the 16-page document was NOT a board policy, the executive director would have the power to change ANYTHING in it, at any time, without Board approval. Duh!! Just why was this so difficult for Damon to understand? The entire Board got it. After Dr. Leone made a formal motion, seconded by John Lazares, for the 16 pages to be adopted as Board policy, the Board (after hearing some concerns expressed by Board members Ramser, Meuser and Cervantes), unanimously approved his motion with a 10-0 vote.

To those who might say "But why must you have it in writing? It shows you don't TRUST your executive director!" I say it has absolutely nothing to do with trust; we are just plain stupid NOT to have it in writing, especially when you look at past STRS history!

Think of the words of Baron John Acton (1834-1902): "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Or the words of a former British prime minister, William Pitt the Younger, in a speech to the UK House of Lords in 1770, "Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it." Then go back and examine the records of the past two executive directors.

And while you're at it, take a close look at exactly who was close to those executive directors and supported (yea, encouraged) their every move. We all know very well who those parties were and what they stood to gain by being "in cahoots" with the executive directors of that era. With policy in place (and reminding everyone that only the BOARD makes policy, NOT the executive director -- EVER), there is no question what the rules are -- for EVERYBODY -- and all decisions must be made accordingly. We "trusted" once upon a time -- and were left holding the bag. Never again!


I do wish Damon a pleasant retirement. He did his best.....as did his predecessor. Welcome, Mike Nehf -- you will be a badly needed breath of fresh air!!

Kathie Bracy

Tom Curtis to Bill Leibensperger: What changes did Damon bring about that Dennis Leone didn't initiate?

From Tom Curtis, June 22, 2008
Subject: Your Presentation To The Board

Bill,

Please humor me by listing all of the wonderful changes that Damon Asbury brought to fruition during his watch at the STRS. But please, only ones not initiated by Dennis Leone.

I look forward to your timely response.

Tom Curtis

After the election: comments from Molly

From Molly Janczyk, May 12, 2008
Subject: The STRS Election: Local union letters

Congratulations to Tim Myers on being elected to the STRS Board.

I wish to comment on a items being circulated by Whitehall and most likely, I think, other local unions. I feel certain regardless of what is said, that Bill L. was the scribe or suggestor of items in a sample letter to the local school districts suggesting they send such letters to actives.

One ex. was Whitehall School District letter. I feel sure that similar letters went out in many if not most or all of the OEA schools. That is fine. We knew OEA had the money and power to completely overwhelm any efforts on our behalf. We expected all out efforts to reach actives. Unfortunately, we expected untruths as well and we got that.

1. CORE has NEVER fought against the 35 yr. rule. I have had that conversation with Bill L., McGreevy and other OEA officials on line and in person. I put out a very comprehensive letter to them and membership that BOTH retirees and actives benefited from HB 190 and precisely HOW each group benefited. I stated that NO ONE wants to take away benefits from one group over another. I HAVE fought to ensure this stand explaining it to any retirees who questioned this issue. The issue has been raised in discussion and this was always the result with NO EFFORT EVER FROM CORE TO FIGHT AGAINST THE 35 yr. rule.

Bill knows this. I continue to be saddened at the lack of integrity in the use of scare tactics so unneeded in what was going to be a landslide without lies (my opinion).

2. Another mistruth: CORE IS NOT against OEA but against OEA officials who have misled membership and who did not take steps to correct the problems with the former convicted OEA STRS Board members. CORE formed when OEA did not step up to provide oversight of the misspending which is verified and for which all the former OEA Board members were convicted of ethics violations.

That is NOT unfounded and hardly irrational. What is irrational is OEA not taking a stand in this cleaning house of its offending STRS Board members.

3. Misleading: CORE knows that OEA stated in the early 90s that legislation for a stream of revenue for health care was unnecessary. Joe Endry, former ORTA president went to the STRS Board back then and informed OEA of this need. OEA and STRS Exec. Direc. Herb Dyer, (OEA's choice for Exec. Direc.) did not feel it necessary. Dyer stated he wanted OUT OF THE HEALTH CARE BUSINESS! No long term planning was done to preserve health care and NOW OEA is working for HB 315, as is CORE, following CORE's efforts to clean up the Board and pursue CORE's number one goal: health care in retirement.

4. Naïve: It is naïve for anyone to think that there is no influence by organizations on STRS Board members. As attending membership clearly sees, the policies and mentalities are evidenced at every meeting. Similar organizational Board members tend to vote the same way, as happened with the former convicted STRS Board members who voted to approve every misspending item 100% of the time. An organization can and does infiltrate thinking and independence is not always evident though it is supposedly required. Block votes are very obvious by the same persons month after month very often.

We attend the meetings. We wish to help actives have health care in retirement. We wish for independent STRS Board members who listen to no organization but only adhere to the Ohio Revised Code to act solely on behalf of membership.

We want everyone to work for the same standard and nothing less. We want the leaders of organizations to stand tall with complete transparency and integrity. Where was OEA leadership in 2003 when all the information came out regarding their OEA STRS Board members who enjoyed $600 hotel rooms in Hawaii and Alaska, paying bar bills and flying from Ohio to NY for $1000? Where were they when STRS Board members awarded your money (interest on contributions) to huge bonuses, to pay for staff childcare, cars, credit cards, lunchroom, fitness center, and so much more. Unfounded? Irrational?

Had it not been for CORE, Leone and Lazares, those former OEA STRS Board members would still be enjoying the ride on your dime.

It remains a travesty that actives are not informed and take the word of organizations over their own research. We did the research and every item was found verifiable. Read the investigative reporters' articles on this issue. Plain Dealer: 6/08/03; 6/12/03 and more; Canton Repository: many articles. Leone and reporter Paul Kostyu of the Canton Repository won journalist awards for their STRS research. Cols. Dispatch, ONN, Cinci Ch. TV, Cols. TV, Dennis Shreefer -- radio talk show, Akron Beacon Journal, etc., etc.

Are they ALL irrational and unfounded?

No one could write the letters from the local(s) who is either not bending or misleading the facts, or who had bothered to actually find the truth.

This is not because Tim won as we knew he would do by a landslide as predicted by us. It is because we cannot seem to see any raising of the bar or complete integrity in doing so.

Molly Janczyk
OEA/NEA Lifetime
CEA Lifetime
ORTA Lifetime
CORE
STRS Retiree