Mahoning Retired Teachers Association General Meeting Wednesday, March 11, 2026 Drake's Landing
President Susan Harris called the meeting to order at 11f:48AM
President Harris called Georgia Barkett to the podium where she recited A St. Patrick's Day Inspiration followed by the blessing. President Harris then led the membership in the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of God BlessAmerica. The meeting was then suspended for lunch. The Austintown High School Concer Choir was to perform, but they cancelled because a tornado watch had been issued.
Legislative liaison, June Logan was called to the podium where she updated the members on the Wade Steen/Ruby Fichtenbaum case. The lower court ruling was reversed, and Fichtenbaum and Steen are appealing. June also reported that the stay on the order to replace STRS elected board members with political appointees remains in place. Meanwhile, the legislature has taken no action to require school districts to contribute more toward STRS pensions and reduce the load current Ohio teachers have to fund pensions. June lobbied members to contact their elected representatives requesting these changes.
President Harris announced that the MRTA Executive Board would meet on Friday, April 10, 2026, in the Boardman library at 10:30AM. She also announced that the next regularly scheduled meeting would be Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Drake's Landing.
In other business, he community service collection netted $303.00 for Soles of Luv. $236.00 was collected in the 50/50 raffle. ($118.00 won by Suzanne DePinto) and Sonia Tsvetkoff won the free lunch for the May meeting. Also, more than 10 door prizes were awarded to attendees. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:15PM with 63 members present.
Respectfully submitted Barbara Ade, Secretary
Mahoning Retired Teachers Association General Meeting Wednesday, December 10, 2025 Drake's Landing
President Harris called Georgia Barkett to the podium where she recited A Christas Prayer followed by the blessing. President Harris then led the membership in the reciing of the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of God Bless America. The meeting was then suspended for lunch. The Boardman Jazz Band, under the direction of Tim Tuite, entertained members with Christmas selections and traditional jazz pieces.
Dr. Robin Rayfield, ORTA Executive Director followed by providing the year in review. 1. His first highlight was that Wade Steen won his court case against the State of Ohio, and was reinstated to his elected seat on the STRS Board. 2. He then updated us on the week-long trial (Fichtenbaum/Steen vs Ohio). The sitting judge ordered briefs (due by December 12, 2025). the judge will respond following consideration of the briefs. 3. Next, elected STRS Board remains in place because of a court injunction intimating that this amendment could not be part of the state budget bill as it has nothing to do with the budget. The judge directed a separate Bill be created and passed through the House and Senate to get this made law. 4. Billions of tax payer dollars were given to private schools, thus reducing money appropriated for Ohio's public schools. 5. STRS is severely underfunded. Teachers contribute 14%, school districts contribute 12% (the lowest in the nation). Lawmakers need to address this disparity which would make the pension fund more robust
In other business, $424,000 was collected and donated to the Salvation Army. $230.00 was collected in the 50/50 raffle. ($115.00 given to the winner) and Barbara Ade won the free lunch for the next meeting. Also, more than 10 door prizes were awarded to attendees. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:54. With 77 members present..
Respectfully submitted Barbara Ade, Secretary
Mahoning Retired Teachers Association General Meeting Wednesday, March 12, 2025 Drake's Landing
President Susan Harris called the meeting to order at 11:40AM. Susan Harris, Phil Butto, Debra Mettee, and Barbara Ade were seated at the head table.
President Harris provided the invocation and the blessing. She then led members in the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of God Bless America. The meeting was then suspended for lunch.
Following lunch, Vice-President Phil Butto introduced Bill Klein and the Austintown Fitch Concert Choir. This select group of singers, chosen by audition entertained the MRTA members with a variety of tunes, including God Bless the USA.
The business meeting then followed. It began with a discussion and question/answer period related to Social Security. Phil is trying to get a representative from Social Security to our June meeting to discuss the changes that are occurring in the program.
A collection was taken up for the Daff/Brown family of Springfield Township who were involved in a deadly car crash less than two weeks ago. $300.00 was collected and will be given to the fund benefiting the family at Huntington Bank.
Irene Scullen won the free lunch for May. Ann Beck wasthe winner of the 50/50 raffle, netting $77.50($155.00 collected). And ten others won door prizes.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1::18PM
Respectfully submitted Barbara Ade, Secretary
Mahoning Retired Teachers Association General Meeting Wednesday, May 12, 2025 Drake's Landing
President Susan Harris called the meeting to order at 11:43 AM Susan Harris, Diana Vrabel, Debra Mettee, and Barbara Ade were seated at the head table.
President Harris called Georgia Barkett to the podium where she provided the invocation Happiness, and then Georgia led the members in saying grace. President Harris then joined members in the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of God Bless America. The meeting was suspended for lunch.
Following lunch, the Struthers High School Show Choir, under the direction of Ms. Angela Russo, was introduced. Ms. Russo stated that the choir had just returned from performing at the Dollywood Resort in Tennessee. The songs sung were chosen from their Tennessee tunes.
The business meeting then followed. Members who have died during 2024-25 were honored in the Remembrance and Reflection Ceremonies that were conducted by President Harris and Barbara Ade. Those remembered during the ceremony included William C. Barnes, Mary Burkey, Michael Butch, Jr., Janet Donaldson, M. Florence Hosa, Chester Feret, Nance Lippiatt, Carol McClain, Elba Navarro, Peter Popovich, Elaine Rafferty, Mary Sandy, Amelia Amy Sposato, Katheryn Stratakis, and Charles Whitman. President Harris then stated that the John M. Knapick Memorial provided funds that honor the year's deceased on a crawl in the lobby at the Main Branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. Following the ceremony, Peg Bennett handed out carnations to members who were being recognized for their longevity.
June Logan, legislative representative, presented a report on STRS and ORTA. STRS members will be receiving a 1.5% COLA, beginning July 1, 2025. One must be retired five years in order to be eligible for the COLA. Rudy Fichtenbaum was elected chairman of the STRS Board of Directors, having won his seat by running unopposed in the May 2025 election. ORTA endorsed candidates Chad Smith and Michael Harkness won the two active teacher seats open on the board. They both support STRS reform.
Georgia Barkett won the free lunch for June. Claudia Freese won $92.50 in the 50/50 raffle, ($185.00) collected). And ten others won door prizes. The Community Service Collection raised $250.00 for Diva's donations.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:27PM with 49 in attendance.
Respectfully submitted, Barbara Ade, Secretary
MAHONING RETIRED TEACHERS ASSOCIATION GENERAL MEETING WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 2025 DRAKES'S LANDING
President Susan Harris called the meeting to order at 11f:44 AM Susan Harris, Phil Butto, Diana Vrabel, Debra Mettee, Vince Bevacqua and Barbara Ade were seated at the head table.
President Harris called Georgia Barkett to the podium where she provided 10 Things to Help you have a Better Day, and then said the blessing. President Harris continued opening ceremonies by leading members in the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of God Bless America. The meeting was suspended for lunch.
Following lunch, Vince Bevacqua from Family Tech Connect talked about how his company teaches seniors about technology. This is a free service provided to senior residents of Mahoning County (until grants end). Vince stated the company also offers the service to Trumbull and Columbiana County, but for a fee ($60/hour or $75/ 90 minutes). Family Tech Connect provides private coaching in-home sessions to those who need help in running or setting up their computers, smart phones, TVs, etc. Staff helps owners learn to operate the equipment so they feel comfortable using it. Following discussion, Vince also talked about the future, including Artificial Intelligence and its emerging role in technology.
The business meeting then followed. $168.00 was collected for legislative representative Carol Kinsey whose home was recently destroyed in an explosion. Debbie Mettee reported that there are 572 lifetime MRTA members, and that $92.00 was collected in May's 50/50 raffle. Phil Butto provided a brief update on Social Security.
June Logan, legislative representative, presented a report on STRS and ORTA President Dean Dennis, executive director Dr. Robin Rayfield and Jim Kane, AMBA representative, spoke during the ORTA Regional Meeting held on May 19, 2025 in Alliance. President Harris and June Logan, district ORTA representative attended the meeting.
Bonnie Pearl won the free lunch for September. Pat Schultz won $87.50 in the 50/50 raffle, ($175.00) and ten others won door prizes. The Community Service Collection raised $216.00 for Replay for Kids. Community Service volunteer hours, January through June were also collected (2,250 service hours tabulated).
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:13PM with 51 in attendance.
Respectfully submitted Barbara Ade, Secretary.
Mahoning Retired Teachers Association General Meeting Wednesday, November 12, 2025 Drakes Landing
President Susan Harris called the meeting to order at 11:44AM Susan Harris, Phil Butto, Diana Vrabel, Debra Mettee, Mark Yoder, Mike Kubitzka, Jayne Boucherie, Madlyn Welsh and Barbara Ade were seated at the head table.
President Harris called Georgia Barkett to the podium where she recited Thanksgiving and Veteran's Day poems followed by the blessing. Members of the Canfield VFW then presented the flags. President Harris continued opening ceremonies by leading members in the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of God bless America. Taps was then played. The meeting was suspended for lunch.
Following lunch, Jayne Boucherle was introduced. She spoke about the Canfield Veteran's Auxiliary and its outreach program. Of special note, the auxiliary contributes to send representatives from Canfield High School to Girl's State. The auxiliary also is an active supporter in the Youngstown food pantry, having donated over 8,ooo bags of groceries.
Madlyn Welsh was then introduced. She is a graduate assistant at Youngstown State University where she is working on a master's degree in public health. Madlyn talked about the myths regarding food and diet, making healthy food choices, and how diet can affect ones health. She also talked about the Guin Fit Program that she helps with at the university. She entertained questions at the conclusion of the meeting.
Hospitality Director, Irene Scullen discussed the results of the survey that had been presented prior to the September meeting. Pat Zalka won the free lunch for December. Linda Massey won $150.00 in the 50/50 raffle, ($300.00 collected) and ten others won door prizes. The Community Service Collection raised $355.00 for the Canfield Veteran's Auxiliary.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:46PM with 8 in attendance.