News & Updates
August 19 2026 Update
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?"U
