News & Updates
October 18, 2026
NEWSLETTER ARRIVING SOON!
The October - November edition of our newsletter will be mailed out this Tuesday. Please pay close attention to a couple things about our upcoming November 10 luncheon. (1) Reservations should reach Micki Lavis at the address on the reservation form no later than November 5. (2) The Barberton High Show Choir plans to begin their performance at 12:30 or shortly after, so please arrive no later than 12::00, as that is when we've asked the Guy's Party Center staff to begin serving salads. (3) If you are planning to bring an item for the silent auction, please email Mike Rusnak (summitretiredteachers@gmail.com) a picture/description of your item so that he may post it on the website. If you're not able to get that information to Mike, don't worry about it. Bring your item anyway! If it's possible that you may bid on an item, remember payment has to be in the form of cash or check.
APPEALS COURT UPHOLDS LOWER COURT RULING: VOUCHERS VIOLATE OHIO CONSTITUTION
A 10th District Court of Appeals three judge panel has unanimously ruled the Ohio EdChoice Voucher Program unconstitutional. The ruling was issued just last Thursday and affirms the June, 2025, Franklin County Common Pleas Court ruling that vouchers violate the Ohio Constitution. Funding set aside for vouchers (taken from public schools) in the current budget makes the EdChoice program one of the most expensive in the country. The Appeals Court judge who wrote the panel's opinion remarked that vouchers violate the requirement for a thorough and efficient system of common schools by using public tax dollars to support a competing system of private, uncommon schools. The judge further noted that voucher schools are not bound by the same state obligations as public schools. Just as with the lower court ruling, the voucher plan will be permitted to remain in place until after Ohio appeals the decision to the Supreme Court, and that court makes its decision.
NOTE: The October - November newsletter includes a brief statement that there have been no changes in the status of legal issues affecting STRS. The newsletter was written and printed before the Appeals Court decision reported here.
STRS RESPONDS TO "MISINFORMED" REPORT
The next newsletter includes an opinion piece I wrote about ORTA's obsession with publishing information critical of STRS in its Weekly Updates . Their latest "club" is a report titled "Retirement at Risk." As is often the case, ORTA's "club" was apparently hollow. Retirement at Risk questioned the accuracy of the System's investment reporting. The content of Retirement at Risk concerned the Ohio Retirement Study Council so deeply that the Council evaluated it and included independent consultants in the review. ORSC found the review contained flaws and unsupported conclusions. You can read more about this issue in the newsletter and at https://ohiohouse.gov/members/adam-c-bird/news/ohio-retirement-study-council-review-finds-significant-flaws-in-allegations-against-strs-ohio-149049.
STRS published the following comments:
"The truth about recent claims: A report was recently published with misinformation about our investment reporting. Here’s the verified truth:
The report confuses the total fund and valuation returns. These measurements answer different questions and are calculated in completely different ways.
The authors cite an “audited return” based on their own calculations. That number is not audited and appears in no STRS Ohio audit.
The claim of a multi-billion dollar discrepancy in reporting is incorrect and is based on the authors’ flawed analysis and unaudited calculations. STRS Ohio’s reports have extensive external oversight and are independently audited.
Bottom line:
STRS Ohio’s numbers are accurate, independently audited or verified, and reported using the highest standards in the investment industry. Our members earned their retirement, and they deserve straight facts — which is exactly what we provide."
IT'S ALMOST TIME FOR 2027 INSURANCE PLAN OPEN ENROLLMENT
Open enrollment for retiree medical, dental and vision insurance plans begins November 1 and ends November 24. During this period, members can make plan changes or keep their existing plans for calendar 2027. There is a great deal of information on STRS's website covering open enrollment, including premiums for Medicare participants as well as those not yet eligible for Medicare, and vision and dental premiums. That information is available at https://www.strsoh.org/newsletters/strs-ohio-news-for-benefit-recipients.html
For a more detailed FAQ about health care costs and changes, you can visit https://www.strsoh.org/faq/health-care-changes.html
And, finally, STRS is offering an Understanding Your Health Care Plan webinar. There is a separate webinar for Medicare enrollees and non-Medicare enrollees; each is offered over a choice of several times and dates. Members who are not yet enrolled in Medicare can also participate in a webinar titled Medicare Enrollment and STRS Ohio. The entire schedule of webinars along with a registration link can be found at https://www.strsoh.org/receiving-benefits/member-education-events.html
We're looking forward to seeing many of you at the luncheon!
"An office clock is seldom stolen, probably because everyone watches it."
September 14, 2026
Elaine Jarvis -- 1937-2026
Elaine Jarvis passed away September 1, 2026. At the time of her retirement from the the Akron Public Schools in 1999, Elaine was an art teacher at Betty Jane Elementary School.
Elaine was as dedicated to SCRTA as one could be. At the time of her death, she was 1st Vice President, Newsletter Editor and Chair of the Marketing Committee. Elaine experienced several health issues in recent years, but she did not allow those difficulties to diminish her leadership role with SCRTA. When it seemed she would not be able to get to SCRTA meetings, Lee, her devoted husband of 67 years, made sure she was able to attend meetings and luncheons. Lee was so committed to making sure that Elaine continued her work with the organization that he himself joined SCRTA!
The SCRTA Management Board extends sympathy to Lee and Elaine's family at this very sad time. A Celebration of Life service for Elaine will take place September 20 at the Evermore Community Church, 1470 Smith Kramer Street NE in Hartville. Arrival time is between 2:15 and the beginning of the service at 3:00.
Barberton Magic Show Choir to Perform at November SCRTA luncheon
The Barberton High School Magic Singers Show Choir will entertain at our November 10 luncheon. The group put on an outstanding performance two years ago. We are pleased that they are able to join us again for this year's holiday luncheon.
Speaking of the November Luncheon
SCRTA will host its first ever Silent Auction at the November 10 luncheon. Members are asked to consider donating items for auction...crafts, gift baskets, baked goods, gift certificates or anything that may be of sufficient interest to members that they will find it absolutely impossible not to submit a bid for the item. Simply bring your auction item to the luncheon, fill out a bid form, and we'll do the rest. Bidding on items will take place during the luncheon, and end at 1:30 sharp. Pay by cash or check made out to SCRTA.
Members who plan to donate to the auction are asked to email a description of their item, and, if possible, a picture, to the SCRTA website (summitretiredteachers@gmail.com). Webmaster Mike Rusnak will post pictures and descriptions of items sent to the website. This way, you can have your eye on something, or friends or family members may want to send a bid with you. Proceeds from the auction will help fund our Teacher Grants and Scholarship programs. Additional auction information can be found on the SCRTA website, https://summitcountyretiredteachers.org/silent-auction.
Member Survey Results
A handful of members asked at September's luncheon about the results of our recent membership survey. Those results are attached below. The SCRTA Marketing Committee is hoping to recruit leaders to oversee two of the most popular activities identified by the survey, Dining for Dollars and travel opportunities (one day trips being the most popular). Any members interested in taking on these jobs should reply to this email, stating which of the activities they wish to help organize.
Our Numbers are Increasing
From Membership Chair Jackie Hovey: Help us increase membership! Please share the address of a retired teacher buddy or any potential member and we will send them a one-time newsletter!
Names and addresses of potential members may be emailed to Jackie at jhoveysue@gmail.com
A Grant or Scholarship Donation may save you some money
We are entering the time of year when we make our strongest pitch for member financial support of our Scholarship and Teacher Grant programs.
Under IRS rules, certain individuals can make donations to a charitable organization (like SCRTA) and use the donation when filing income taxes as an income reduction instead of an itemized deduction. Donations that reduce your adjusted gross income (AGI) are known as Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs). There are rules governing QCDs, some of which are listed here. If you are eligible and interested in donating to one of our two programs using a QCD, do so only after confirming your eligibility through your IRA custodian and/or your tax preparer. Here are some basic QCD rules:
1. QCDs can only come from IRAs; funds in 403(b), 401(k) or 457 plans cannot be used to make a QCD.
2. You must be 70 1/2 years old.
3. If you are 73 or 75, depending on your birth year, you may be required to take a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your IRA. You may use all or part of your RMD as a QCD.
4. A QCD check may be made out to and mailed to SCRTA from the financial institution or it may be made out to SCRTA and mailed to you. You, then, would mail the check to SCRTA or hand deliver it. You may not cash the QCD check then write a separate check to SCRTA from your checking account. SCRTA's mailing address is 82 Cedar Woods Drive, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223.
We strongly suggest that members who are interested in making a QCD speak first with their IRA custodian and tax preparer.
Odds and Ends
If you were not at the September luncheon but would like to see the President's report on STRS legislative, legal and benefit news, click on the "September 1 Report" attachment below.
This year's teacher grant application will be in all Summit County public school districts the week of September 14. Applications are being sent to each district's Curriculum department head for distribution to buildings. In addition, the application will be posted on the SCRTA website.
Remember to save those Acme Fresh Market receipts that include "Community Cash Back Earned Today" amounts at the bottom of your receipt. Proceeds benefit our Scholarship fund.
We hope to see you at the November 10 luncheon!
"If you suffer from the misconception that you have significant influence, try ordering around someone else's dog."
August 18, 2026
Dear SCRTA Member:
We hope you're enjoying the summer notwithstanding the sometimes stifling temperatures. Below is a quick update on legislative issues, STRS related matters and SCRTA activities. Some of these issues will most likely be presented in greater detail in the SCRTA Newsletter due out in mid-August.
Medical Premiums increasing for 2027
The STRS Board voted at its June meeting to increase healthcare premiums for the 2027 calendar year. Healthcare coverage is NOT a benefit STRS is mandated by law to provide. It is widely considered by retirees as a very attractive benefit, one that is well worth its cost. Board members and staff cited skyrocketing increases in healthcare costs for the cost of coverage changes. This year, a person who retired before August 1, 2023 with 30+ years and is enrolled in the Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO paid a monthly healthcare premium of $37. In 2027, that premium will increase to $45. The "STRS Medical Premiums" attachments below show all the current 2026 rates and the new rates that will take effect in 2027.
Prescription drug coverage will be changing as well in 2027. The table below compares current 2026 and 2027 rates. Generic drug costs are not included in the table because they are not changing.
A very comprehensive and easy to understand series of questions and answers about healthcare costs, changes, etc., can be found on the STRS Ohio website. Click on this link and scroll through the many questions and answers on this topic. FAQ (2027 Health Care Changes) | STRS Ohio
Membership Survey Results
The SCRTA Marketing Committee, Chaired by Elaine Jarvis, has been discussing for the past year ways in which SCRTA can raise community financial support for our Grants and Scholarship programs, offer possible travel and entertainment opportunities to members, and to solicit member feedback about our luncheons, both number-wise and programming. The Committee decided to survey members in attendance at the June luncheon with the intent of using the results as a blueprint for planning future strategies. Interested in seeing how members responded to the survey questions? Simply click on the "SCRTA Survey" attachment below.
If you would like to volunteer to serve in any of the areas listed in the survey, but were unable to attend the luncheon, please drop us an email to let us know what areas interest you.
Scholarships Awarded
SCRTA presented five students with $1,500 scholarships at the June luncheon. Flanked by Scholarship Committee Co-Chair Vicky Shaw (Left) and Committee member Kim Joseph, awards were presented to, from left to right, Sydney Peterson, Annabel Green, Thomas Gaffney, Grace Lance and Jahzara Semper-Mitchell. The five scholarships, totaling $7,500, is a SCRTA record, both in terms of number and amount. The feat was made possible due to members' participation in luncheon cup collections, raffles, individual donations, and participation in Acme Fresh Market's Cash Back program and the annual Double Good Popcorn sale.
We've received "thank you" notes from two winners. Interested in reading them? Click on the "Scholarship Thank You Notes" attachment below.
Community Cashback
This year's program runs from August 1, 2026 through February 15, 2027. SCRTA will receive 5% of the total Cash Back Program eligible purchases as shown on the bottom of Acme receipts. So save those receipts showing eligible purchases. Receipts may be sent at any time during the program to Vicky Shaw, 1372 Hammel St., Akron, OH, 44306 or to Bill Siegferth, 82 Cedar Woods Drive, Cuyahoga Falls, OH, 44223. Proceeds go toward the SCRTA Scholarship Fund.
STRS Board Member Lawsuit
A little over a year ago, the Ohio Legislature passed a budget bill that included language reorganizing the membership of the STRS Board, eliminating the teacher member (active and retired) majority. A lawsuit was filed challenging the constitutionality of the move; a court-issued restraining order then blocked implementation of the change. Ohio appealed the matter and lost, paving the way for the case to move forward. Finally, after several filings and other legal maneuvers, the matter is due to be scheduled for a final pretrial hearing. Once scheduled, the hearing will take place in the Franklin County Common Pleas Court before Judge Carl A. Aveni. As we have all along, we will continue to monitor the progress of this case and report developments to you.
In the meantime, Ohio HB 719, a bi-partisan bill which was introduced in February of this year and which restores in the Ohio Revised Code the majority of elected teacher seats on the STRS Board, was referred to the House Public Insurance and Pensions Committee on March 4. It has remained in committee since then.
Chief Magistrate Returning for September Luncheon
Summit County Probate Court Chief Magistrate Steve Elliott presented "Probate 101" at our April 7 luncheon. The program was welcomed and thoroughly enjoyed by those in attendance. Elliott will return for our September 2 luncheon, this time partnering with the Summit County Prosecutor's Office to present the summer series "Protect Our Seniors." The program will cover protecting yourself from scams, protecting your finances and protecting your estate. Summit County officials Amy Corrigall Jones, Tania Nemer of the Prosecutor's Office, and Chief Assistant Summit County Prosecutor John Galonski will attend with Elliott.
A luncheon reservation form will be included in the August newsletter. We hope you are able to join us on the 2nd.
"Good teachers show us light; outstanding teachers lead us toward the light; great teachers are our light."
March 22, 2026
As you know, an amendment to the state budget bill that was adopted by the Ohio legislature last summer eliminated the member (active and retired) majority on the STRS Board. A lawsuit was filed challenging the constitutionality of the amendment. A Franklin County court issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting the changes from being implemented until a full blown hearing is held on the matter. Until the courts decide the issue, members continue to hold a majority on the Board.
Recently, a bi-partisan bill was introduced in the Ohio House that, if passed, will reverse the changes made in the budget bill. The bill is H.B. 719 and it was introduced by Representative Jim Hoops (R-Napoleon) and is co-sponsored by Representatives Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville), Andrea White (R-Kettering), Sean Brennan (D-Parma) and Joe Miller (D-Amherst). If the legislature passes H.B. 719, the current STRS Board makeup will remain unchanged.The bill has been referred to the House Public Insurance and Pensions Committee.
It is in every member's best interest to contact his/her state senator and representative and request that they support H.B. 719. This is very easy to do online. Just follow these steps:
1. Click on www.legislature.ohio.gov
2. Under "Who represents me?" type in either your street address (house number and street) or your nine digit zip code, then click "Search."
3. Your senator and representative will be displayed.
4. When you click on your senator's or representative's picture, you will be taken to his or her web page.
5. Click "Contact" in the button bar; fill out the form, then click "Send."
In your message, we suggest you include the district from which you retired and your number of years of service under STRS.
UPDATED JANUARY 23, 2026
CHIEF MAGISTRATE STEVE ELLIOTT TO SPEAK AT APRIL LUNCHEON- Steve Elliott, Chief Magistrate of the Summit County Probate Court, will be the guest speaker at our April 7th general membership luncheon at Guy's Party Center. Elliott will present Probate 101, a program offering information on the probate process including wills and estate administration, the importance of powers of attorney, transfer on death designations, beneficiaries, payable upon death accounts and more. Watch for luncheon reservations in our first newsletter of the year which is due out the first week in March.
STRS AT JUNE LUNCHEON - It's become tradition for STRS leadership to join us at our June luncheon. This year will be no different. Christina Elliott, Deputy Executive Director - Member Benefits and Chief Benefits Officer, will again join us along with two of her colleagues---Greg McLaughlin, Director of Health Care Services and Maria Muratori, Senior Chief of Staff, Investments. The luncheon is scheduled for June 2nd. Mark your calendar now!
TEACHER GRANT$ PROGRAM - The Teacher Grants Committee, chaired by Christina Haas, has selected this year's winners. Checks were mailed in early January to the treasurers in the winners' districts. In all, 20 $300 grants were awarded amounting to $6,000 in classroom support. Grant winners are from 10 of Summit County's public school districts. Special thanks to Christina and committee members Mary Austin, Sandy Baer, and Jean Dickey. Look for a more detailed report from Christina on this year's awards at the April luncheon.
NO DECISION YET IN THREE STRS LITIGATIONS- We are watching three ongoing issues 1. The trial in the lawsuit filed by the Ohio Attorney General against current STRS Board Chair Rudy Fichtenbaum and former Board member Wade Steen has ended. Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judge Karen Held Phipps has yet to decide whether Steen and Fichtenbaum should be permanently banned from holding seats on the STRS Board for their involvement in an alleged corrupt QED Technologies investment plan. The trial ended before Christmas, but the Judge has not set a date by which she will issue her opinion.
2. The COLA class action lawsuit against STRS, challenging the 2017 reduction of the then 2% COLA to 0%, was initially filed in U.S. District Court (2019), then in Franklin County Common Pleas Court in 2021. In late November, the Court approved an amended case schedule after which the plaintiffs (ORTA's Dean Dennis and Bob Buerkle) moved "for leave to file a Second Amended Class Action Complaint." Confused? Entirely understandable!! Setting all the legalese aside, the bottom line is that there will be no decision in this matter anytime soon.
3. The attempt by the Ohio Legislature to eliminate the teacher member majority on the STRS board was blocked by a Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge, thereby preserving the current make-up of the Board while the dispute is litigated. As of now, we are not aware that a date has been set for a hearing. Meanwhile, the Board continues to operate free of any of the Budget Bill changes.
DECISION IN VOUCHER CASE EXPECTED LATE IN 2026 - Last June, Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Jaiza Page ruled that Ohio's EdChoice private school voucher program is unconstitutional. Anticipating a series of legal appeals, Page permitted the program to continue until the legal proceedings run their course. As expected, the Judge's decision was appealed to the 10th District Court of Appeals by the Ohio Attorney General . On January 12th, attorneys for Vouchers Hurt Ohio/The Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy filed a reply brief to the State's appeal. Regardless of the Appeals Court decision, the case will wind up in the Supreme Court. Members interested in following this case more closely can visit https://vouchershurtohio.com.
NOVEMBER OFFICER ELECTION RESULTS- The results of the election held at the November General Membership Luncheon are as follows:
President: Bill Siegferth
!st Vice President: Elaine Jarvis
2nd Vice President: Rozanne Emich
Administrative Assistant: Becky Moore
Treasurer: Bill Siegferth
Assistant Treasurer/Membership: Jackie Hovey
Two of the three Nominating Committee member positions were filled by Carol Caughron and Micki Lavis and one of the two At-Large Nominating Committee positions was filled by Christine Bean.
Members interested in filling one of the remaining open Nominating Committee positions may contact Carol Caughron at 330-606-6900
WOW!!!
Scholarship Cte. Co-chair Vicky Shaw reports that SCRTA's proceeds from the Double Good popcorn sale totaled $2,198.00. That's $5 short of double (no pun intended) last year's proceeds. Thanks to all who bought and/or sold popcorn this year. Vicky and co-chair Judi Hill will recommend how many scholarships SCRTA will award and complete the process of inviting applicants and selecting winners over the coming months. In the meantime, remember to keep collecting Acme Fresh Market receipts that include cash-back rewards. You can send receipts to Vicky at 1372 Hammel St., Akron, 44306, or Judi at 4450 Greensfield Circle, Copley, 44321. Thank you in advance!
STRS Hosts Stakeholder Forum
On November 20th, STRS hosted a "Stakeholder Forum" in Columbus. The event was new Executive Director Steve Toole's idea. Toole, who has been on the job for about four months, wishes to maintain open lines of communication between the retirement system and active and retired members, legislators and others. He plans to continue holding meetings every six months.
SCRTA is honored to have been the lone county-level retired teachers association in attendance at the Forum. Members John Robishaw, Administrative Assistant Becky Moore and I attended. We found the meeting to be very informative. Attendees were encouraged to ask questions on any subject and were assured by Toole that no subject would be treated as an "elephant in the room."
The Ohio Federation of Teachers, the Ohio Education Association, the Ohio Chapter, AAUP, the Ohio School Boards Association, POP 5 (Protect Ohio Pensions) and university retirees from around the state, including Akron University, were some of the groups/individuals in attendance.
Those interested in perusing the meeting's agenda can click on the attachment below.
SCRTA ELECTION RESULTS
Results of the SCRTA elections held at the November luncheon meeting are as follows (all positions are for two-year terms):
President, Bill Siegfert
Vice President, Elaine Jarvis
2nd Vice President, Rozanne Emich
Administrative Assistant, Becky Moore
Treasurer, Bill Siegferth
Assistant Treasure/Membership, Jackie Hovey
Nominating Committee, Carol Caughron, Micki Lavis
Nominating Committee, At-Large, Christine Bean
One Nominating Committee position and one At-Large Nominating Committee position remain open. Anyone interested in filling the vacant Nominating Committee position should notify Becky Moore by email (rwmoore1951@gmail.com) or telephone (330-497-9362). The At-Large opening must be filled by a member of the Management Board.
We will continue to follow developments in this case and report any movement to SCRTA members.
2026 MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON DATES SET
Tentative dates have been set for SCRTA's 2026 General Membership meetings/luncheons at Guy's Party Center. They are: April 7th, June 2nd, September 1st and November 10th.
Our guest speaker in April will be Chief Magistrate Steve Elliott of the Summit County Probate Court. Magistrate Elliott will present "Probate101" during which he will address the advantages of avoiding probate and share simple, free tools to help protect your family and heirs.
It has become tradition that STRS senior leadership joins us for our June luncheon, and that will continue this coming year.
Programming for the final two luncheons of 2026 has not yet been decided.
ZEFFY'S NO SCAM...IT'S THE REAL DEAL!
If you've visited the SCRTA website, you probably noticed a QR code on certain pages...membership, grants and scholarship. We are partnering with a company called "Zeffy" to offer members another option to pay dues or to make contributions to our scholarship and/or teacher grant programs. We are also planning to make it possible to pay for our general membership luncheons using Zeffy.
Zeffy is the only 100% free fundraising platform for nonprofits. It serves over 20,000 nonprofit organizations and charities in Canada and the U.S. There are no transaction fees or charges tied to using Zeffy... SCRTA receives 100% of any gift or payment. Zeffy is easy to use...simply scan the QR code with your cell phone app and follow the directions from there. Payments can be made either using a credit card or an electronic bank transfer.
If you're wondering how Zeffy makes money since they do not charge transaction fees, the answer is simple. When using Zeffy, you will be asked to make a donation that would be added to your charge. An amount is suggested for your transaction, but you may change the amount or not make a contribution at all. Zeffy is sustained through the voluntary contributions it receives from approximately two-thirds of the people who use it.
We are pleased to be able to offer members this third option--in addition to cash or personal check--to support SCRTA initiatives and events!
SCRTA SENDS A HUGE SHOUT OUT TO JOHNNETTE CURRY
Kudos to Johnnette Curry for serving three years as president of SCRTA. Johnnette will continue volunteering her time with the organization in her position as Immediate Past President.
Thank you, Johnnette!
A kindergarten class was on a field trip to a local police station. One boy was interested in the "Wanted!" posters. He asked, "Are those people really wanted?" The police officer replied, "Yes."
The boy asked, "Then why didn't you keep them when you took their pictures?"
