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New! Take a look at merchandise for TFT members designed by MrEmblem!
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Congratulations to the 2023-2024 Teacher Leaders Program!On Saturday, May 11th, 2024, the 2023-2024 TLP cohort presented on many different topics to conclude their year of rigorous and passionate research. Congratulations to all participants! Check back to the TLP page of our website soon, as their research papers will be displayed later this week.
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An Update on STRS from OFT President Melissa Cropper...
Dear TFT,
I’m writing to all OFT members who are contributing members or retirees in STRS Ohio with an important update. Please contact us at info@oft-aft.org with any questions you have.
STRS Election
Congratulations to Michelle Flanigan on her election to a contributing member seat on the STRS Board! Michelle, OFT’s endorsed candidate, won in a landslide with 85% of the total vote. We endorsed Michelle because she pledged to focus on restoring member benefits by asking STRS actuaries to reexamine assumptions for rates of return, funding goals, and timelines; and by looking at other funds and states for best practices that give the greatest returns for the lowest cost and risk.
Allegations and Investigations
We are concerned about recent reports regarding an anonymous letter alleging that reform-minded board members are part of a “hostile takeover” of the STRS Board and have improperly acted on behalf of a private investment group, QED Systematic Solutions. Due to that document, Governor DeWine called for an investigation. Following that, both Attorney General Yost and Secretary of State LaRose declared they will investigate.
This is the second year in a row where Governor DeWine has taken action on STRS just days before the announcement of STRS Board election results. Last year DeWine removed Board member Wade Steen the day before STRS announced that Berea Federation of Teachers member Pat Davidson won a Board seat. Last month, Steen was reinstated to the Board after the Tenth District Court of Appeals ruled that DeWine lacked the authority to remove Steen.
Anonymous allegations should be taken with a grain of salt, especially when they are likely from inside sources who may have their own motivation. We caution OFT members – and all STRS members – to avoid reacting to these politically motivated rumors and insinuations and to wait for more facts to come out.
If Board members have acted inappropriately, we expect those actions to be addressed by official investigations from the Ohio Ethics Commission, the Attorney General, and/or the State Auditor. All board members – whether they are members we endorsed or not – should be held accountable to their ethical and legal obligations.
Our Focus
Our focus has been, and continues to be, supporting retirement advocates for the STRS Board who are focused on making concrete changes that improve transparency and accountability at STRS and restore member benefits in a fiscally responsible manner.
To that end, we are proud of the track record of improvements that have been spearheaded by OFT-endorsed Board members, including:
In Solidarity,
Melissa Cropper, President
Ohio Federation of Teachers
I’m writing to all OFT members who are contributing members or retirees in STRS Ohio with an important update. Please contact us at info@oft-aft.org with any questions you have.
STRS Election
Congratulations to Michelle Flanigan on her election to a contributing member seat on the STRS Board! Michelle, OFT’s endorsed candidate, won in a landslide with 85% of the total vote. We endorsed Michelle because she pledged to focus on restoring member benefits by asking STRS actuaries to reexamine assumptions for rates of return, funding goals, and timelines; and by looking at other funds and states for best practices that give the greatest returns for the lowest cost and risk.
Allegations and Investigations
We are concerned about recent reports regarding an anonymous letter alleging that reform-minded board members are part of a “hostile takeover” of the STRS Board and have improperly acted on behalf of a private investment group, QED Systematic Solutions. Due to that document, Governor DeWine called for an investigation. Following that, both Attorney General Yost and Secretary of State LaRose declared they will investigate.
This is the second year in a row where Governor DeWine has taken action on STRS just days before the announcement of STRS Board election results. Last year DeWine removed Board member Wade Steen the day before STRS announced that Berea Federation of Teachers member Pat Davidson won a Board seat. Last month, Steen was reinstated to the Board after the Tenth District Court of Appeals ruled that DeWine lacked the authority to remove Steen.
Anonymous allegations should be taken with a grain of salt, especially when they are likely from inside sources who may have their own motivation. We caution OFT members – and all STRS members – to avoid reacting to these politically motivated rumors and insinuations and to wait for more facts to come out.
If Board members have acted inappropriately, we expect those actions to be addressed by official investigations from the Ohio Ethics Commission, the Attorney General, and/or the State Auditor. All board members – whether they are members we endorsed or not – should be held accountable to their ethical and legal obligations.
Our Focus
Our focus has been, and continues to be, supporting retirement advocates for the STRS Board who are focused on making concrete changes that improve transparency and accountability at STRS and restore member benefits in a fiscally responsible manner.
To that end, we are proud of the track record of improvements that have been spearheaded by OFT-endorsed Board members, including:
- Increased transparency. Meetings are now video recorded and materials are available online prior to the board meeting.
- Reduced the 35 years requirement for a full pension to 34 years for a full retirement. (OFT and our allied board members will continue to fight to lower this requirement.)
- Provided a benefit enhancement for retirees. After 10 years without a cost of living adjustment, eligible retirees received a three percent enhancement in 2022 and a one percent enhancement in 2023.
- Provided a healthcare enhancement for pre-Medicare retirees.
- Changed the Performance-Based Incentive (PBI) Program, which determines how bonuses are awarded.
- Improved disclosure of fees and board governance by hiring a parliamentarian, a governance consultant to implement recommendations from the 2022 Fiduciary Performance Audit, and a new consulting firm to outline STRS fees.
In Solidarity,
Melissa Cropper, President
Ohio Federation of Teachers
Take a look at upcoming events.
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Looking for more? Visit the TFT calendar page.
Check out all of the photos from the recent TFT promotional campaign here!
TFT activists wear blue to show support for the Paraprofessional Bill of Rights, emphasizing the need for living wages, safe working conditions, respect and dignity, real solutions for staff shortages, and much more.
Teaching the Short 'u' Sound: Ms. Olrich
In a phonics lesson focusing on the short ‘u’ sound kindergarten teacher Fadia Olrich of Riverside Elementary School, in Toledo, Ohio, starts with phonemic awareness, moves to letters, and ends with reading words, which helps children develop the skills they need to become strong readers. Throughout the lesson, she uses various strategies, including the Roller Coaster strategy and giving students mirrors to see their mouths.
Local author helps students process real life challenges through books |
Students gathered inside Catherine Hernandez’s fourth-grade classroom at Marshall STEMM Academy in South Toledo on Friday afternoon to listen to local author Virginia Ulch’s children’s book Bullyfish.
“Her books resonate with students in the classroom,” Ms. Hernandez said, “and helps them resonate in positive ways when confronted with problems in the classroom.” |
Congratulations to our April 2024 Teacher and Para of the Month!
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Nominations are now virtual!You can now nominate a teacher or para of the month virtually! Visit the Teacher/Para of the Month page for more information and access to the form.
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