ORTA NEWS:
RETIRED TEACHERS. . .
STAY ACTIVE - STAY INFORMED!!
www.orta.org (register for the Members' Only)
IMPORTANT:
ORTA IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH POP5
ORTA is NOT affiliated with POP5. Please read this statement from our executive director:
Many of you have reached out to the ORTA office asking about a recent mailing you have received from ‘Protect Ohio Pensions’. This group seeks your membership suggesting that the pension system is in danger. Further, this group claims that your membership will help to protect you public pension.
As Executive Director of ORTA, I am concerned with the STRS pension system. I am not very familiar with the other 4 public pension systems in Ohio, but I can assure all STRS members that ORTA is actively engaged in advocacy on behalf of STRS retirees. I can also say that, during my four years as the leader at ORTA, I have never seen anyone from POP5 at any STRS meeting. To my knowledge, they have never offered any support at any STRS meeting, have never attended an STRS meeting, have never attended an HPA meeting, nor spoken out at any meeting of retired teachers. Of course, ORTA welcomes everyone that works on behalf of STRS retirees. ORTA has embraced partnerships with STRS Watchdogs and STRS Members Only Forum. Both of these groups are actively engaged in advocacy on behalf of STRS retirees. ORTA is NOT affiliated in any fashion with Protect Ohio Pensions. In fact each of the 5 public pension system advocacy groups have asked Protect Ohio Pensions to stop hinting as though there is a relationship between Protect Ohio Pensions and the advocacy groups.
I am asked questions such as “ Is ORTA working with Protect Ohio Pensions?’ The answer is No.’ What does Protect Ohio Pensions do in the way of advocacy?’ My answer is I see no evidence of advocacy from Protect Ohio Pensions. If they are engaged in advocacy, I am unaware of their efforts.
I hope this helps each retiree decide what to do with the offer from POP5 to join their organization. My advice is ‘Join the proven group engaged in advocacy since 1947. Join ORTA’. After all, ORTA has a track record of advocacy including:
• Serving as the collection point for the recent forensic audit
• Attendance at ALL STRS Meetings
• Offering testimony at STRS meetings
• Meeting with elected officials in the Ohio House and Senate. Providing copies of the Forensic Audit to all elected officials, including the governor, and attorney general.
In Solidarity,
Robin Rayfield, ORTA Executive Director
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****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.
THE BATTLE TO CNTROL THE STRS BOARD: the past, the present and the future?
(June, 2024 , by Lloyd Knudsen, MCRTA Legislative Chair)
I believe STRS is at a critical juncture. The following are my thoughts on how and why we got to this point.
My wife Joanne and I joined MCRTA shortly after I retired in 2003. Chuck Chapman and Nancy Boomhower invited me to join them in attending the monthly STRS Board meetings in Columbus. We were part of an organized, statewide group known as CORE (Concerned Ohio Retired Educators). Each month 15-25 retirees would show up at the board meeting (with their CORE shirts on), many would sign up to make a 3-minute speech (during the public participation part) and all were there to advocate for their fellow retirees. The issues back then were: STRS spending our money on their opulent building (an indoor waterfall, expensive artwork, etc.), generous staff perks (such as free in-house child care) AND lavish bonuses for the investment staff. Yes, investment bonuses have been an issue for 20 years. CORE eventually faded away. The group grew weary of the fight. Retirees had just two seats on the 11-membe board. ORTA leadership at that time was silent. Active teachers (represented by OEA) had five seats on the board and usually voted with STRS. Four seats were state political appointees.
Pro-reform advocates at STRS reappear-What changed?
BY 2017, STRS retirees had lost their annual COLA. Retirees were angry that STRS continued to give annual staff raises and investment staff bonuses while saying they could not afford a COLA for retirees. ORTA (under the leadership of a new vocal, Executive Director, Dr. Robin Rayfield adopted a pol icy of endorsing “pro-reform-minded” candidates for election to the board. STRS also angered the active teachers by requiring them to contribute more and work longer to collect their full pensions. The Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT) later joined with ORTA to endorse and support pro-reform candidates. This partnership enabled reform
candidates to win the last five board elections. Two other internet websites have been instrumental in promoting STRS reform candidates: STRS Ohio Watchdogs and the STRS Ohio Retirees Only Forum. The reform coalition is advocating for STRS to: restore the annual retiree COLA , and exhibit greater transparency and accountability in their practices.
With virtually each succeeding STRS election, a new pro-reformer has joined the board and an existing anti-reformer has exited the board. As a result the relationship between STRS /anti-reformers and ORTA /pro-reformers became one of: counter allegations, investigations, audits, lawsuits and political maneuvering.
The board election that will finally create a 6 to 5 majority for the reformers has arrived. But, STRS says—not so fast.
The April, 2023 election of Pat Davidson, an active teacher reformer meant that in September when his term would begin, the pro-reformers would have a 6 to 5 majority on the STRS Board for the first time. Coincidentally, just as Davidson’s election results were being announced, Governor Mike DeWine announced that he was “unappointing” his political appointee to the board, Wade Steen. The governor gave as his reason that Mr. Steen had missed too many STRS Board meetings and that he would be replaced Immediately. Mr. Steen happened to be the only political appointee on the board that was on the reform team. So, STRS would keep their 6 to 5 majority. Mr. Steen then sued the governor to regain his seat. ORTA assisted Mr. Steen by raising over $65,000 in donations to its Pension Defense Fund to help with Mr. Steen’s legal fees. As his case dragged on in the courts, Mr. Steen remained off the board for the remainder of 2023.
If you thought this STRS soap opera could not get more bizarre. You were wrong!
On the morning of April 18, 2024 Wade Steen won his appeal in the District Appeals Court in Columbus and is reinstated to the STRS Board. It just so happened that the STRS Board was meeting in Columbus at that time. Mr. Steen got to that meeting. After much angry discussion Mr. Steen was sworn back in. Board President, Dale Price (an anti-reformer) then declared the meeting adjourned (without a vote) and walked out.
At the May STRS meeting the reform group (with the reinstatement of Mr. Steen ) now holds a 6 to 5 board majority. They wasted no time in asserting their control. A motion was made to un-elect the current chair and co-chair (both anti-reformers). This move was crucial. The chair sets the board agenda and controls the meeting. Perfect example-newly elected chair, Dr. Rudy Fichtenbaum suspended discussion and a board vote on two very important and controversial topics: the STRS budget and the investment program/bonuses.
The April, 2024 STRS Board election resulted in another reformer being elected to the board. Active teacher, Michelle Flanigan will begin her board term in September. At that same time Wade Steen, Governor DeWine’s appointed/unappointed representative on the board will end his term. Governor DeWine will most assuredly appoint an anti-reformer to replace Steen. However, the board’s reformers will still retain its 6 to 5 board majority.
In the most recent chapter of the ongoing STRS soap opera, another anonymous letter (written by STRS staff) was sent to Governor DeWine in May. The letter alleged there was a “hostile takeover” happening on the STRS Board. The governor cited several “red flags” raised in the letter that had him concerned. He then asked State Attorney General Yost to investigate the matter. AG Yost has since filed a lawsuit against STRS Board members Ficntenbaum and Steen for failing to fulfill their fiduciary duties appropriately on the STRS Board. STRS alleges that Fichtenbaum and Steen have compromising ties to an investment firm called QED. The lawsuit asks that both board members be permanently barred from serving on the STRS Board. The drama continues!
What does the future look like at STRS?
The political chaos at SRRS reminds me of our American political scene. Both parties believe they are right. Imagine in November if one party wins the presidency, the House and the Senate. Does that winning party work with the opposition or just do it their way? As for STRS, right now and in September (the AG’s lawsuit not withstanding) the pro-reform faction will have four active teacher seats and two retired teacher seats on the board. A reality check--there is only one active teacher currently on the board (Correthers) that is not a reformer. If the past elections are any indicator, after that seat is won by a reformer the reformers will have a seemingly permanent 7 to 4 majority. Do the reformers work with STRES or do they just do it their way?
`As retirees we are hoping for cooperative and common sense leadership. Our financial futures depend on it.
Latest STRS News
Ohio ADOPTS UNIVERSAL SCHOOL VOUCHERS
The Ohio legislature recently passed its two-year operating budget. Included in that budget was a major change in providing public tax dollars (vouchers) for students to attend private schools. Historically, Ohio’s vouchers were only available to students who had been attending an “under-performing” public school.
Ohio’s voucher program (known as EdChoice scholarships) beginning with this 2023-24 school year, will now provide annual tuition assistance to ALL of Ohio’s school-age students to attend a private school.
The amount of tuition assistance depends upon: annual family income, family size and the student’s grade level. The maximum $ assistance amount (per student/per year) is $6,165 for grades K-8 and $8,407 for grades 9-12. The maximum amount would be received by a family of two at or below the $78,880 income level or $120,000 for a family of four.
For parents interested in EdChoice scholarships contact the private school desired for enrollment forms and specific financial assistance data. To receive your full (non-prorated) tuition assistance payment, your application must be submitted by October 15th. ** (Source of financial data , ABJ (8/18/23).
.
Lloyd Knudsen, MCRTA
So the question becomes, ‘What do we do with this information’? ORTA has a history of influence with state level politicians. We ask that each chapter leader forward this to the legislative committee of your local RTA. We further ask that each chapter reach out to their local state representative and Senator to let our voices be heard. A simple phone call or email to your local elected officials is extremely effective. Listed below is a step by step process to have a significant impact.
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?
THE BATTLE TO CNTROL THE STRS BOARD: the past, the present and the future?
(June, 2024 , by Lloyd Knudsen, MCRTA Legislative Chair)
I believe STRS is at a critical juncture. The following are my thoughts on how and why we got to this point.
My wife Joanne and I joined MCRTA shortly after I retired in 2003. Chuck Chapman and Nancy Boomhower invited me to join them in attending the monthly STRS Board meetings in Columbus. We were part of an organized, statewide group known as CORE (Concerned Ohio Retired Educators). Each month 15-25 retirees would show up at the board meeting (with their CORE shirts on), many would sign up to make a 3-minute speech (during the public participation part) and all were there to advocate for their fellow retirees. The issues back then were: STRS spending our money on their opulent building (an indoor waterfall, expensive artwork, etc.), generous staff perks (such as free in-house child care) AND lavish bonuses for the investment staff. Yes, investment bonuses have been an issue for 20 years. CORE eventually faded away. The group grew weary of the fight. Retirees had just two seats on the 11-membe board. ORTA leadership at that time was silent. Active teachers (represented by OEA) had five seats on the board and usually voted with STRS. Four seats were state political appointees.
Pro-reform advocates at STRS reappear-What changed?
BY 2017, STRS retirees had lost their annual COLA. Retirees were angry that STRS continued to give annual staff raises and investment staff bonuses while saying they could not afford a COLA for retirees. ORTA (under the leadership of a new vocal, Executive Director, Dr. Robin Rayfield adopted a pol icy of endorsing “pro-reform-minded” candidates for election to the board. STRS also angered the active teachers by requiring them to contribute more and work longer to collect their full pensions. The Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT) later joined with ORTA to endorse and support pro-reform candidates. This partnership enabled reform
candidates to win the last five board elections. Two other internet websites have been instrumental in promoting STRS reform candidates: STRS Ohio Watchdogs and the STRS Ohio Retirees Only Forum. The reform coalition is advocating for STRS to: restore the annual retiree COLA , and exhibit greater transparency and accountability in their practices.
With virtually each succeeding STRS election, a new pro-reformer has joined the board and an existing anti-reformer has exited the board. As a result the relationship between STRS /anti-reformers and ORTA /pro-reformers became one of: counter allegations, investigations, audits, lawsuits and political maneuvering.
- ORTA alleged fraudulent practices at STRS. They then solicited donations from their members to hire an investment expert to perform a forensic audit of STRS.
- State Auditor, Keith Faber then investigated STRS based on ORTA’s forensic audit findings. Faber’s investigation concluded that: STRS had done nothing illegal and there was no evidence of fraud. However, more importantly, the auditor gave his office’s findings on a comparative study on the financial effectiveness of STRS’ “active management” investment strategy versus a lower-cost, “passive, index fund” approach. Use of an index fund approach has been suggested (at a board meeting) by two pro-reform board members with investment backgrounds--Fichtenbaum and Steen. The auditor’s findings (based on investment data from 2009-2022) asserted that STRS earned $12.5 billion LESS during that time period than they would have earned in a simple index fund.
- The pro-reform group made a board meeting motion to call for a “vote of no confidence” on STRS Executive Director, Bill N eville’s job performance. The motion was defeated.
- The majority anti-reform group later made a board motion to extend Mr. Neville’s employment contract with a substantial raise. His existing contract had a year before it expired. The motion was passed.
- An anonymous letter from STRS staff members made allegations of verbal abuse and sexual harrassment against Mr. Neville. The board voted to place him on paid, administrative leave pending investigation. Mr. Neville was not found guilty of any infractions but his leave was extended until June, 2024.
The board election that will finally create a 6 to 5 majority for the reformers has arrived. But, STRS says—not so fast.
The April, 2023 election of Pat Davidson, an active teacher reformer meant that in September when his term would begin, the pro-reformers would have a 6 to 5 majority on the STRS Board for the first time. Coincidentally, just as Davidson’s election results were being announced, Governor Mike DeWine announced that he was “unappointing” his political appointee to the board, Wade Steen. The governor gave as his reason that Mr. Steen had missed too many STRS Board meetings and that he would be replaced Immediately. Mr. Steen happened to be the only political appointee on the board that was on the reform team. So, STRS would keep their 6 to 5 majority. Mr. Steen then sued the governor to regain his seat. ORTA assisted Mr. Steen by raising over $65,000 in donations to its Pension Defense Fund to help with Mr. Steen’s legal fees. As his case dragged on in the courts, Mr. Steen remained off the board for the remainder of 2023.
If you thought this STRS soap opera could not get more bizarre. You were wrong!
On the morning of April 18, 2024 Wade Steen won his appeal in the District Appeals Court in Columbus and is reinstated to the STRS Board. It just so happened that the STRS Board was meeting in Columbus at that time. Mr. Steen got to that meeting. After much angry discussion Mr. Steen was sworn back in. Board President, Dale Price (an anti-reformer) then declared the meeting adjourned (without a vote) and walked out.
At the May STRS meeting the reform group (with the reinstatement of Mr. Steen ) now holds a 6 to 5 board majority. They wasted no time in asserting their control. A motion was made to un-elect the current chair and co-chair (both anti-reformers). This move was crucial. The chair sets the board agenda and controls the meeting. Perfect example-newly elected chair, Dr. Rudy Fichtenbaum suspended discussion and a board vote on two very important and controversial topics: the STRS budget and the investment program/bonuses.
The April, 2024 STRS Board election resulted in another reformer being elected to the board. Active teacher, Michelle Flanigan will begin her board term in September. At that same time Wade Steen, Governor DeWine’s appointed/unappointed representative on the board will end his term. Governor DeWine will most assuredly appoint an anti-reformer to replace Steen. However, the board’s reformers will still retain its 6 to 5 board majority.
In the most recent chapter of the ongoing STRS soap opera, another anonymous letter (written by STRS staff) was sent to Governor DeWine in May. The letter alleged there was a “hostile takeover” happening on the STRS Board. The governor cited several “red flags” raised in the letter that had him concerned. He then asked State Attorney General Yost to investigate the matter. AG Yost has since filed a lawsuit against STRS Board members Ficntenbaum and Steen for failing to fulfill their fiduciary duties appropriately on the STRS Board. STRS alleges that Fichtenbaum and Steen have compromising ties to an investment firm called QED. The lawsuit asks that both board members be permanently barred from serving on the STRS Board. The drama continues!
What does the future look like at STRS?
The political chaos at SRRS reminds me of our American political scene. Both parties believe they are right. Imagine in November if one party wins the presidency, the House and the Senate. Does that winning party work with the opposition or just do it their way? As for STRS, right now and in September (the AG’s lawsuit not withstanding) the pro-reform faction will have four active teacher seats and two retired teacher seats on the board. A reality check--there is only one active teacher currently on the board (Correthers) that is not a reformer. If the past elections are any indicator, after that seat is won by a reformer the reformers will have a seemingly permanent 7 to 4 majority. Do the reformers work with STRES or do they just do it their way?
`As retirees we are hoping for cooperative and common sense leadership. Our financial futures depend on it.
Latest STRS News
Ohio ADOPTS UNIVERSAL SCHOOL VOUCHERS
The Ohio legislature recently passed its two-year operating budget. Included in that budget was a major change in providing public tax dollars (vouchers) for students to attend private schools. Historically, Ohio’s vouchers were only available to students who had been attending an “under-performing” public school.
Ohio’s voucher program (known as EdChoice scholarships) beginning with this 2023-24 school year, will now provide annual tuition assistance to ALL of Ohio’s school-age students to attend a private school.
The amount of tuition assistance depends upon: annual family income, family size and the student’s grade level. The maximum $ assistance amount (per student/per year) is $6,165 for grades K-8 and $8,407 for grades 9-12. The maximum amount would be received by a family of two at or below the $78,880 income level or $120,000 for a family of four.
For parents interested in EdChoice scholarships contact the private school desired for enrollment forms and specific financial assistance data. To receive your full (non-prorated) tuition assistance payment, your application must be submitted by October 15th. ** (Source of financial data , ABJ (8/18/23).
.
Lloyd Knudsen, MCRTA
So the question becomes, ‘What do we do with this information’? ORTA has a history of influence with state level politicians. We ask that each chapter leader forward this to the legislative committee of your local RTA. We further ask that each chapter reach out to their local state representative and Senator to let our voices be heard. A simple phone call or email to your local elected officials is extremely effective. Listed below is a step by step process to have a significant impact.
- Determine who your local state officials are. You can find your representative or senator here
- Write or call your elected official and voice your opinion on the legislative proposals.
- Remember, it is far more effective if multiple people make contact with an elected official one time than if 1 person makes contact several times.
- Ask about any town halls, or regular office hours your elected official has in your area. Attend one of these opportunities and voice your concerns.
- Another place to locate your elected official using your address is here:
- https://openstates.org/find_your_legislator/