Toledo Federation of Teachers

IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED
On behalf of 𝐓𝐅𝐓 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐊𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐨𝐧, please read this urgent information from 𝐎𝐡𝐢𝐨 𝐅𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 President 𝐌𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐚 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫 that demands your immediate attention.
The state budget that was finalized and approved is a disaster for children, families, and communities, with numerous bad faith attacks on public education, public libraries, educators, and unions. If you missed the information, you can read it here:
https://medium.com/.../this-budget-is-a-disaster-for-ohio...
I am beyond disappointed that 23 Senators and 59 Representatives – all from the majority party in the statehouse – voted for this atrocious budget bill. We will be working to make sure that Ohioans know who stood up in opposition to this budget and who stood by in silence.
Right now though, we are focused on asking Governor DeWine to veto the worst parts of this bill. You can join us by taking action here:
https://actionnetwork.org/.../tell-governor-dewine-to.../...&&
While there are many – and I mean MANY – egregious parts of this budget that we are asking the Governor to veto, here are three of our top priorities:
𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 (𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗦) 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱: This is an unnecessary and extreme provision that applies only to STRS and not the other public pension funds. This policy was not included in any previous version of the budget, shutting out all public participation and scrutiny. If legislators want to enact this policy, they should advance it through standalone legislation.
𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗹𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝘅𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿: The vague language in this item will lead to a chilling effect that will prevent library users of all ages from having the free access to information that public libraries would otherwise provide.
𝗔 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝘃𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 (𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗱 “𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘀”) 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲, 𝘂𝗻𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀: Non-chartered, non-public schools explicitly choose not to be regulated or accredited by the state and are not required to meet even the most basic educational standards. There’s no assurance that taxpayer funds would be spent on legitimate educational purposes. This opens the door to fraud, waste, and abuse.
𝑷𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒔𝒌 𝑮𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒐𝒓 𝑫𝒆𝑾𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒗𝒆𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒔.
You can view our full list of veto requests in these letters:
OFT’s veto request letter:
https://www.oft-aft.org/.../docum.../2025/OFTveto2025.pdf...&&
OFT and Ohio Conference of AAUP joint veto request letter on higher education issues:
https://www.oft-aft.org/.../2025/OFTAAUPveto2025.pdf...&&
All in for Ohio Kids (school funding coalition) veto request letter:
https://www.oft-aft.org/.../doc.../2025/AOKveto2025_0.pdf...&&
If any of the other issues mentioned in those letters are priorities for you, please add that into your sample letter when you take action.
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒌 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈, so please take action and share this information with co-workers, friends, and family as soon as possible.
In Solidarity,
Melissa Cropper, President
Ohio Federation of Teachers

Toledo
Federation of
Teachers

Our Mission

Toledo Federation of Teachers is a union of professionals that advocates for the social and economic well-being of our members and the children and families in our community. We are committed to advancing these principles through community engagement, organizing, collective bargaining, political activism, and especially through the work of our members.

2025 TFT Golf Outing!

Despite the cold and rain, our members had a great time at the annual TFT Golf Outing. There were smiles all around as everyone celebrated the end of another school year and the start of a well deserved summer break!

Checking out Erie St. Market...

"Thanks to Knitz's Greenhouse for the awesome flowers! They are making the office look great!"
-President Kevin Dalton

Educators Need Elected Representatives on the STRS Board!

CLICK HERE TO TAKE ACTION!

Legislators on the Ohio Retirement Study Council are evaluating whether or not to change the composition of the STRS Board. The 11 member board currently consists of seven elected members (five contributing members and two retirees members) and four non-elected members appointed or designated by politicians. We are concerned about possible changes that would reduce, or entirely eliminate, elected seats on the board.

STRS members have elected board members who represent us and have a stake in the future of STRS. These elected board members have taken their fiduciary responsibilities very seriously. They have only started restoring benefits – providing cost of living adjustments to retirees and lowering the years of service requirement for full retirement for active members – in situations approved by the fund’s actuary. They have also increased transparency at STRS, allowing members to have a clearer look at how their pension fund is being managed.

Tell your state legislators, the Speaker of the House, and the Senate President that educators deserve elected representation on the STRS Board and that you support the work that our elected STRS Board members are doing.

President Kevin Dalton is Jack of All Trades, Master of All Trades!

Recently, our very own President Kevin Dalton was interviewed on a podcast with TFT member Ted Mount of Jibe Talking by Jolly Roger Sailing Club. Check out the podcast below!

Click Here to Listen!

Congratulations to the 2025 TLP!

The 2024-2025 TLP cohort had an inspiring and successful day presenting their research projects. An abbreviated title of their research is listed below. Check out the TLP page to read their research papers and learn more!

TLP Research Spotlights

Read a synopsis of their research below. Then, join us on Saturday, May 10th while TLP presents their findings from their research projects!

Deanna Rice

Black Educator Recruitment and Retention
This project centers the voices of Black educators in recommending ways urban districts can increase recruitment and retention efforts of Black educators. All students benefit from diversity in the teaching staff but the presence of Black educators is especially important for the large number of Black students that are usually found in urban schools. Studies show that recruiting Black educators is not enough but systemic changes must be made to encourage the teachers to continue teaching. The project not only addresses the reasons why Black teachers leave but proposes solutions to encourage educators to stay.

Catherine Sadowski

AI Website Access Protocol Project for the Urban District: Catherine Sadowski
The Toledo Federation of Teachers is proud to support the development of an AI Website Access Protocol for the urban District. This initiative focuses on creating a secure, student-centered framework for using AI tools in education while protecting student data privacy. The project outlines a comprehensive plan including data security standards, a rigorous AI tool evaluation process, a robust technical strategy, staff training programs, stakeholder engagement efforts, and a clear incident response protocol. By prioritizing student safety, legal compliance, and effective AI integration, this project sets a thoughtful foundation for future innovation in our classrooms.

Look Who's Retiring!

To all of our truly amazing teacher leaders and dedicated mmebers: From all of TFT, wish you a sweet and peaceful retirement!

Note: If you have a photo of a 2025 TFT retiree, please email it to tft250website@gmail.com so we can appreciate and celebrate them here, too!

Margaret Mead was right. She once said:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it’s the only thing that ever has.”