Rep. Brennan Praises Appellate Court Decision Protecting Educators' Voice in STRS Governance

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan (D-Parma) today applauded the decision of the 10th District Court of Appeals to once again deny the state’s request to implement changes to the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) Board of Trustees while ongoing litigation continues.

“Today’s decision is a win for educators, retirees, and for constitutional integrity. The courts have once again affirmed that provisions with major policy implications; especially those affecting the retirement security of hundreds of thousands of Ohio educators- cannot be quietly inserted into a budget bill without proper legislative scrutiny.

I have consistently believed that those who dedicate their lives to educating Ohio’s children deserve meaningful representation on their pension board. This decision keeps the voices of teachers at the table where they belong while the legal process plays out,” said Rep. Brennan.

Under provisions inserted into biennial budget bill House Bill 96, lawmakers attempted to restructure the STRS Board by adding additional political appointees while reducing seats elected by active and retired educators. Educators across Ohio backed by teacher and university faculty unions filed suit, arguing the provision violated constitutional procedural requirements and stripped teachers of the representation afforded to other public employee groups.

Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Carl Aveni previously issued a temporary restraining order and later a preliminary injunction blocking the changes, finding that they likely violated the Ohio Constitution’s single-subject and three-readings rules. Despite the state’s continued appeals, the 10th District Court of Appeals has twice refused to lift the injunction, most recently on Friday.

 Rep. Brennan says that the legal dispute is not about partisan politics but about fairness and the rule of law.

“Regardless of where anyone stands on STRS policy debates, we should all agree that the Constitution matters. Rules exist for a reason. We owe it to Ohioans to conduct legislative business transparently and responsibly, especially on issues as consequential as retirement governance,” concluded Rep. Brennan.

Rep. Brennan pledges to continue advocating for educator representation and accountability within STRS.