Category Archives: OEA-R News

OEA Retired Delegates and Advisory

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A new OEA election year kicks off in September. If you are interested in being involved and having your voice heard, please consider running for one of the upcoming open positions.
 
OEA-Retired delegate to the OEA Representative 2026-2027 Fall and Spring Assemblies.OEA-R Declaration of Candidacy 2026-2027 Word doc or Adobe pdf
 
OEA-Retired Advisory Council positions that are available.

OEA-R Advisory Council Declaration of Candidacy Spring 2027 Word doc or Adobe pdf 

NEA-Retired Delegate seats that will attend the 2027 NEA Representative assembly in Indianapolis, IN

NEA-Retired Declaration of Candidacy Word doc or Adobe pdf
Things to note:

  • Declaration of candidacy deadline dates – please pay attention to when the forms are due back to OEA.
  • Submitting your forms
    • You are welcome to scan or take a clear picture of the forms (Front and back) and email them in that way.
    • You can fill out the form electronically, save it, and email them back that way.
    • Lastly, you are always welcome to print and mail your declarations back into us, but please remember the mail system can be slow at times.
    • If you are emailing your form in, please email them to the provided email address on the specific form.
  • The election run time will be 21 days.
  • Members will still be afforded the option to vote online or by mailed paper ballot. Paper ballots will still be mailed to all retired members and electronic ballots will be sent to all retired members; you may choose which option you want to use.
  • If you are choosing the mailed ballot option, please vote and return your ballot right away upon receipt. 
Questions? Please contact Willam Baird, Manager of Elections and Conferences oeara@ohea.org  

Join the OEA-Retired Racial and Social Justice Committee Book Study

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All OEA members are invited to join us on this journey. We aim to inspire engaging conversations in books that relate to everyday experiences on the topics of racial and social justice. This will help us learn from each other and grow in understanding.

All sessions will be virtual on Zoom and will take place the third Monday of each month from 7pm-8pm (unless otherwise stated).

Please contact Makia Burns, OEA-Retired Liaison, burnsm@ohea.org with questions.

Book Reading Schedule:

  • August 17 – The Third Reconstruction by Peniel E. Joseph
  • September 21 – Slave Ship by Marcus Rediker
  • October 19 – Slave Ship by Marcus Rediker
  • November 16 – Tears We Cannot Stop by Michael Eric Dyson

OEA-R Racial and Social Justice Committee 2026 Book Study Flyer

click to register

 

 

Protect Ohio Schools

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Don’t Sign the AxOHTax Petition — and Help Us Stop It

You may have seen people collecting signatures to eliminate property taxes in Ohio. Before you sign — or before someone you know does — it’s important to understand what is really at stake for public education.

The petition, called AxOHTax, would permanently ban property taxes in Ohio if it passes. While it’s being promoted as tax relief, the impact on schools and communities would be severe.

Property taxes are the largest source of local school funding in Ohio. In FY 2024, Ohio’s 611 public school districts collected approximately $13 billion in property taxes statewide, often more than 60% of local operating revenue for some school districts. This funding pays for teachers, support staff, classroom supplies, building operations, and student programs. Eliminating that revenue with no credible replacement plan would be devastating. 

This threat comes as the state continues to shrink its share of school funding. Since 1997 — the same year the Ohio Supreme Court ruled the state’s school funding system unconstitutional — the state has dropped its contribution from about 44% to 37%, with proposals to cut it even further. Over that same period, statewide property tax collections have more than doubled, from roughly $9.7 billion to $22.6 billion, and local communities have had to rely heavily on property taxes to fill the gap; the state left behind.

AxOHTax would eliminate the revenue source Ohio’s communities have been forced to depend on — without any plan for what comes next. The result would not be tax relief–it would larger class sizes, staff cuts, school closures, and fewer programs for Ohio’s students.

Property taxes also fund libraries, fire and EMS services, counties, and townships. Eliminating them would cost approximately $24 billion annually in lost revenue, nearly equal to Ohio’s entire General Revenue Fund. There is no realistic way for the state to replace that funding.  

What you can do:

  • Decline to sign the AxOHTax petition.
  • Visit OEA’s Protect Ohio Schools website for more information, including talking points, FAQ’s sample emails and social media posts, and resources. https://www.ohea.org/protect-ohio-schools/
  • Share this information with colleagues, neighbors, and family.
  • Stay engaged as OEA continues to lead the opposition.
  • Sign up for an OEA Town Hall to learn more about the Protect Ohio Schools Campaign. [Link}

Our students, schools, and communities are worth protecting. Thank you for standing with us to Protect Ohio Schools.

OEA-R Spring Conference

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NEOEA-R will host the 2026 OEA-R Statewide Spring Conference at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens in Akron on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

We are planning a guided tour starting at 10:30 AM with the availability of self-guided tours of the grounds and other buildings afterwards as part of the package. In addition, we will be able to have lunch together at the Akron Family Restaurant at 12:30 PM. 

The cost for the tour and lunch will be approximately $30.00

Stan Hywet was built and lived in for 40 years by the Sieberling family, co-founders of Goodyear Tire and Rubber. The tour will explore the history of the mansion and show what life was like in the early 1900s.

Conference Flyer and Registration Information   

OEA-R Election: NEA RA Delegates & Advisory Council

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The following persons will represent OEA-R at the NEA Representative Assembly: 

Mary Binegar

Jeff Corbin

Carol Kinsey

Chuck Steinbower

Judy Buschle

Peg Ham *

Sam Radel

Higher Education OEA-R Advisory Council Representative

Samual Adu-Poku *

Advisory Council AT-LARGE

Carol Kinsey 

ESP AT-LARGE 

Nola K. Brooks

* Denotes NEOEA Member

OEA-R delegates will be elected through March 21 by online and mail-in ballot. Look for election information by e-mail and US mail.  Please support candidates from NEOEA-R.

OEA-R members should look for an email and/or a postcard “Vote Now in the OEA-Retired Spring Election” from “Ohio Education Association <help@yeselections.com>”.

Everyone will get either a postcard, envelope or an email with an explanation and instructions for requesting a paper ballot.

The email and the postcard or letter provide an “Election Code” and a “Voting PIN” along with a link to the voting page. If your ballot has not been placed in the US mail by March 15, please vote online no later than 5:00 PM on March 21, 2026.

Candidate biographies and campaign statements are available at https://www.ohea.org/retired

Here are the Steps to Vote Online:

  1. Go to the voting website: https://www.ohea.org/retired
  2. Enter your Election Code and Voting Pin in the fields
  3. Click on Continue and follow the voting instructions
  4. All ballots must be received by 5:00 PM on March 21, 2026

Please support the following candidates from NEOEA:

Valenta Ward-Gravely NEOEA
Karen Carney NEOEA
Jene’  Wilson  NEOEA
Diallas  York NEOEA
Peg Ham NEOEA
Lynnette R. Harris NEOEA