Ohio teachers continue fight to regain power on pension board

By Nadia Ramlagan

Ohio educators are pushing for passage of House Bill 719, which would permanently reverse changes made last year shifting the 11-member State Teachers Retirement System board to a majority made up of political appointees.

A court has temporarily blocked the legislative amendment from going into effect.

Jeff Wensing, a high school math teacher in Cuyahoga County and president of the Ohio Education Association, said under the amendment, there would be eight politicians and three teacher members elected by beneficiaries. Wensing believes the move was aimed at limiting teachers’ voices.

"Further, the amendment would prohibit members of the retirement system, the elected members, from serving as chair or vice chair. This change surfaced literally in the middle of the night during conference committee for the budget," Wensing pointed out.

Supporters of the board switch-up argued the change was needed due to a history of problems. Ohio's State Teachers Retirement System is one of the largest and oldest pension systems in the country, with more than 500,000 residents counting on the system for retirement income.

Wensing argued teachers have worked hard for decades and deserve to know choices made on their behalf are not solely coming from political appointees who have never set foot in the classroom.

"We deserve a meaningful voice in the direction of our retirement system. Over 1,400 OEA members have contacted their legislators in support of House Bill 719. However, there has not been an opportunity to testify," Wensing noted.

Earlier this year, a Franklin County judge removed the then-board chair and a former board member from their positions, saying the men violated their fiduciary duty due to their involvement with a private investment company.