Pat Davidson for STRS Board
I would like to publicly address some false but persistent rumors that have recently been amplified in paid social media ads. I have never taken a position in support of QED Investors or any other specific investment, I have never had any conversations with people who represent QED Investors, and I have no connection to Josh Mandel.
Additionally, the website “Save Ohio STRS” is not my campaign website and I am not responsible for their content. In fact, I have shared information on my facebook page urging all STRS members to refrain from divisive rhetoric.
I am deeply disappointed by organizations that are so deeply invested in the status quo at STRS that they have now decided to spend money to repeat false claims about my campaign.
I respect my opponent, but I’m running against him because the status quo isn’t working for Ohio educators. As a Board member, I’ll put pressure on STRS to use its funds more strategically and provide better benefits to members. This is the role that every Board member should play.
Pat Davidson
April 24, 2023
Pat Davidson explains why he is running for the contributing seat on the STRS Ohio Board
Endorsements
The Ohio Retirement for Teachers Association, Ohio Conference of the American Association of University Professors, Ohio STRS Members Only Forum, STRS Ohio Watchdogs and the Ohio Federation of Teachers have formally endorsed Pat Davidson, Berea City School District, for the contributing (active) teacher seat on the STRS Board.
STRS leadership has led active teachers down a path where they are paying more and working longer for less, while retired teachers are facing financial hardships due to COLA loss.
Trustees who continue to allow this to happen and resist change must be replaced by individuals like Pat Davidson.
Q & A with Pat Davidson
Q & A with Pat Davidson.pdfSTRS reforms in 2012 and 2017 have dramatically affected personal financial planning for active and retired members.
Pat is a business and computer teacher in the Berea City School District with 22 years of classroom experience. For the majority of his career, he's taught personal finance classes to high school students.
Pat is running for the STRS board because the STRS reforms in 2012 and 2017 have dramatically affected personal financial planning for active and retired members.
If elected to the STRS Board, he will continue to pursue constructive conversations that challenge STRS to address the needs of active members without risking the system's long-term stability.
Pat will work toward advancing the following goals:
Move the STRS plan design back to full benefits at 30 years, or as close to that as possible, as quickly as possible. Full benefits at 30 years at any age was the original promise made to anyone enrolled in STRS prior to 2012 and it should be honored, if at all possible.
Restore an annual COLA that will allow benefits to keep pace with inflation during retirement. When Social Security is granting a 8.7% COLA for 2023 it isn’t reasonable for STRS to not have a COLA at all. We must continue the trend that was reinstated last year and provide an annual COLA to retirees.
Encourage STRS to increase transparency for members in all aspects of our pension system.
January 25, 2023
Active Teachers, your vote COUNTS this Spring!
Colleagues, particularly OEA members - hear me out.
I am a member of OEA. My local works hard for teachers. But concerning STRS, what have OEA endorsed candidates done to help you? They have reduced your benefits and increased the number of years you must work.
MOF, STRS Watchdogs, ORTA and OFT have endorsed the reform candidate Pat Davidson for the STRS board.
But, if you are asking yourself...why NOT the OEA endorsed candidate? Why shouldn't I go with my association?
Well, here are just some starters for you. SHARE this with your colleagues. I'II bet their retirement is more important to them than any loyalty to an association!
Why NOT Arthur Lard (current OEA endorsed board member)?
STRS's history of investing millions in hedge funds and alternative investments whose fees structures are not transparent.
"STRS was unable to outperform the S&P 500 for 13 of the past 22 years" and "STRS missed considerable public equity returns during an 11 year bull market run and post pandemic surge" - STRS Special Audit Report, Ohio State Auditor Keith Farber, p. 28.
Arthur Lard's October 2022 vote to pay bonuses to a highly compensated STRS staff, responsible for #2 above, while members get less.
The STRS board's refusal to address wasteful spending and mismanagement of members' money on the Columbus building, exorbitant salaries, travel expenses, and unnecessities like subsidized daycare and cafeteria. The STRS board is supposed to act as FIDUCIARIES for the members, not the employees!
Are you happy with STRS? Why would you vote for more of the same?
Michelle Flanigan
OEA Building Rep
Brunswick High School
January 19, 2023
Sign the Petition asking Treasurer Sprague to appoint a pro-teacher board member!
Sign the Petition asking Treasurer Sprague to appoint a pro-teacher board member!
As reported by The Toledo Blade, Editorial: A Revealing Appointment, there is a sudden vacancy on the STRS board as one of the anti-reform members just submitted his resignation from the eleven-member board.
State Treasurer Robert Sprague will be making a new appointment to the board at any moment.
Please join ORTA in encouraging Treasurer Sprague to appoint a board member who will join the five existing pro-reform members to fight for transparency and accountability.
Pro-reform board members are saying “NO MORE” to STRS accounting gimmicks, lack of transparency, misreporting of investment performance and unconscionable staff bonuses.
Click here to sign our petition calling on Treasurer Sprague to appoint a pro-reform board member!
Treasurer Sprague needs to hear how STRS mismanagement has resulted in lost COLA’s and broken promises for retired teachers.
He needs to hear how active teachers are being forced to pay more and work longer for less benefits.
He needs to know new leadership is needed at STRS.
Also join us in calling the Treasurer’s office at 614-466-2160 and emailing constituentaffairs@tos.ohio.gov to speak your mind.
Together we are making a difference.
Election Timeline
February 24, 2023: Deadline for nomination petitions
April 3, 2023: Mailing of election ballots to contributing members
May 1, 2023: Deadline for receipt of votes
May 6, 2023: Certification of election results by board of tellers
September 1, 2023: Elected member’s term begins
Election Updates
Would you like the STRS Ohio Watchdogs to keep you current about this election?