MAHONING RETIRED TEACHERS ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETING FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2026 BOARDMAN LIBRARY
Present: Susan Haris, Phil Butto, Diana Vrabel, Barbara Ade, Debra Mettee, June Logan, Paggy Bennett, Irene Scullen, Sonia, Tsvetkoff, Debbie Haverstock.
President Susan Harris called the meeting to order at 10:36 AM.
Barbara Ade read the minutes from the October 2025 board meeting. The minutes were accepted as read.
Debra Mettee provided a comprehensive treasurer's report, which was accepted. She stated that the books for 2025 had been reviewed and found to be in good order. She said she would look into how money in the life account can be used.
Old Business: No old business.
New Business: A brief review of standing rules/by-laws indicated MRTA elections be held in odd numbered years. The board agreed to stay on through 2026 with an election being held in 2027.
Committee Reports: Membership: Diana received one set of retirees from the inquiries she made to local school districts. She has yet to hear from the others. Program: Jess McClain will speak at the May meeting, and Canfield Librarian Allison Graf will talk about Artificial Intelligence(AI) at the June meeting. Community Service: No report given. Hospitality: Irene suggested a notice be included on the reservation form stating no refunds for cancellation after the Friday preceding luncheons. Parliamentarian: Peggy agreed to check prices at A La Cart and Rachel's for next year. Legislative: A 1.6% COLA will be given beginning July 1, 2026. Legislators were encouraged to support HB719. And the hold is still in place regarding STRS board composition. In Memoriam/Remembrance: No report given. Public Relations: Darlene Fusco said that MRTA'S historical binders were turned into Mahoning County Historical Society and that the information contained within them was converted to flash drives. Newsletter: Barbara asked that information for the fall newsletter be submitted in early August, if not before. Nominations: No report given. Scholarship: No report given. Website: Debbie reported that the website is up to date.
The next MRTA board meeting will be August 13, 2026, at the Boardman Library.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12:05PM
Respectfully Submitted, Barbara Ade, Secretary
MAHONING RETIRED TEACHERS ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETING WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2026 BOARDMAN LIBRARY
Present: Susan Haris, Phil Butto, Diana Vrabel, Barbara Ade, Debra Mettee, Kim Pontuti, June Logan, Irene Scullen, Sonia Tsvetkoff, Debbie Haverstock
President Susan Harris called the meeting to order at 10:32AM.
Barbara Ade read the minutes from the April 2026 board meeting. The minutes were accepted as amended. (The date for the next board meeting in the original was incorrect).
Debra Mettee gave the treasurer's report. She also presented statistics on meeting attendance for the last ten years. Discussion revolved around our ability to make up the difference between what Drake's Landing charges ($20) as opposed to what we pay ($18). 50/50 raffles are helping but not completely covering the difference. Debbie Haverstock motioned to accept the treasurer's report and Diana Vrabel seconded. Motion carried. The report will be filed for audit.
Old Business: President Harris revisited the yearly membership roster: The board decided to contact those who have not paid their dues. Board members will personally contact those who are not up to date. Members who have not paid dues prior to 2022 will be dropped.
New Business: A motion was made by Barbara Ade and seconded by Diana Vrabel to accept the draft proposal presented by Brian Nord of the Youngstown Foundation. The proposal will update and streamline the MRTA Scholarship application process. Motion carried.
Committee Reports: Membership: Diana reported that she has not been sent retiree lists from school districts (except Youngstown). Conversation revolved around checking district board minutes to get lists. Another suggestion was to ask for a formal records request if the district information is not forthcoming. Diana will follow up. Program: Phil will try to get Jess McClain to speak at the September or November meeting. He will follow up and have the information for the fall newsletter. Community Service: Kim reported that 3,276 volunteer hours were logged by members, January through June. The check for Sols of Luv was returned because of bad address. Another attempt will be made to get it to them. for fall meetings, The YWCA Young Women with Bright Futures will receive September's donation, the Canfield VFW Auxiliary will get November's collection, and the Salvation Army will receive funds from the December meeting. Hospitality: Irene provided data that supports Debbie's on numbers attending luncheons. We have to find a way to attract younger retirees to join the organization and participate in activities. Parliamentarian: NO report given. Legislative: Ohio school districts contribute only 14% to the State Teachers Retirement System. It is one of the lowest in the country. ...ORTA asks elected officials to support HB719. This bill would reverse the 2025 amendment attached to the Budget Bill that changed the composition of the STRS Board from the majority of elected positions to political appointees. ...ORTA is against the elimination of property taxes and warns elected officials that this would be detrimental to public education in the state...The Ed Choice Boucher System violates Ohio's constitution and public schools. Over 1 billion dollars in vouchers is given to private schools yearly. The next STRS board meeting is scheduled for August 17 and 18. ...In July, the attorneys for Wade Steen and Dr. Rudy Fichtenbaum filed briefs with the Court of Appeals. The court has yet to respond. ...The movie Pension Fight Club will soon be in Ohio theaters. It can currently be streamed. ...Dean Dennis, ORTA President reported on an article in Journal of New Finance, June 2026. The article entitled "Retirement at Risk: The Political Economy of Public Education" states that STRS self-reports their unaudited financial numbers which are highly inflated in order to get large bonuses. The statistics were overreported 95% of the time. In Memoriam/Remembrance: No report given. Public relations: Darlene Fusco continues to recover from injuries suffered in an auto accident earlier this year. Newsletter: The newsletter will be in the mail by the second week of August. Nominations: No report given. Scholarship: The application will be updated and listed through the Youngstown Foundation website. Website: Debbie reported that the MRTA website is up to date, and forms are online to register for meeting, pay dues, and join the organization.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:49AM.