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OEA Endorses Arthur Lard for STRS Board

Arthur Lard is a Business Education teacher from Portsmouth City Schools who has served on the STRS Board since 2019. He has a strong background in accounting and board governance. He has served as treasurer of his local association for 23 years and was treasurer of the OEA Board of Directors for four years. Prior to becoming a member of the STRS Board, Arthur underwent extensive training on pension issues receiving the Certificate of Achievement in Public Plan Policy on Employee Pensions from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans.

As a member of the STRS Board, Arthur has been a thoughtful advocate for Ohio’s teachers. During his time on the Board, the funding status of the pension plan has improved, making our benefits more secure. The health care plan is fully funded so that it will be there for current and future retirees. The Board has lowered health care premiums and provided rebates to retirees. This fiscal year, STRS paid a 3% COLA to retirees and, most notably, did away with the age 60 requirement for retirement eligibility.

• Teacher in Portsmouth since 1992
• Teaches Business Education, Financial Management, and Accounting
• Teaches Typing and Print Shop- a combination marketing and production class that produces and sells goods to the public.
• Earned Certificate of Achievement in Public Plan Policy for Employee Pensions in 2019.
• Portsmouth Outstanding Teacher Achievement Award 2006 and 2018
• Treasurer for local association for 23 years
• Treasurer for district association for 4 years
• OEA Board of Directors for 4 years
• Outstanding Local Treasurer 2010-2021

Arthur Lard: RA Speech
Hello delegates:

My name is Arthur Lard. I am a Business Education teacher from Portsmouth City Schools and for the last three-plus years it has been my honor to represent you on the STRS Board.

STRS is the cornerstone of our financial security in retirement. During my time on the Board, the plan’s funding status improved, making our pension benefits more secure. We have been able to improve the solvency of the health care plan so it will be there for current and future retirees. We have lowered health care premiums and provided rebates to retirees.

This fiscal year we were able to pay a 3% COLA and we were able to do away with the age 60 requirement for retirement eligibility. All of this while paying out around $7 billion in retirement benefits a year.

I am proud of my work on the STRS Board. Today I am asking for your help.

Please sign my nomination petition, take some back and have members in your local sign as well. As we go into the campaign next year, talk to your members about the importance of retirement and participating in the election.

I know many of us are closing in on retirement, myself included. What really drives me as a Board member is making sure that our newest educators and those who have not entered the profession yet have a safe, reliable pension they can’t outlive. That’s something that ALL Ohio’s educators need and deserve.

Thank you all for your support.