Hardin County Retired Teacher Association Held Recent Luncheon: Highlights from the September 20th Meeting

The Hardin Co. Retired Teacher Association met at the Kenton Elks on September 20th at noon. Pres. Madelyn Lowery welcomed 16 members and guests Bonnie Brielmaier and Kara Brown. She thanked Sue Buroker and the Elks’ staff. The meal consisted of cashew romaine salad, fresh fruit, cheese casserole, beverages, and desserts. Lowery also thanked the committee of Chr. Jodine McKinley, Pat Ritchey, Sandy Moore, and Kim Thomas for the lovely arrangements. Chaplain Melanie Kindell offered a prayer before lunch.

After lunch, Kara Brown, Superintendent of Hardin Co. Board of Developmental Disabilities, spoke about the levy vote on November 5. The county’s HCBDD is hoping to pass the .5 mill levy so as to continue providing service for preschool and school age children in the Simon Kenton School. This levy will support inclusion for those with developmental disabilities. The HCBDD has a mission to support children and adult choices to live, learn, work, and play. The board uses 50% of tax money for adults, 25% for preschool/school age children, and 25% for early intervention. According to the needs of the individuals, the services are provided 24/7. Hardin County has about 300 individuals who are served.

If the .5 mill levy should not pass, the HCBDD would not be able to fund preschool and school age services at the Simon Kenton School. The board would need to cut $1.5 million of its budget. The cost of these services would then be the responsibility of the neighboring districts as they are required to provide services for disabled children. The classes could still be held at Simon Kenton School, but the financial support would have to come from the neighboring school districts and thus an increased budget would need to be adopted to cover the financial responsibility. HARCO is no longer part of her budget as it stands now; however, HCBDD is required to pay for the services provided at HARCO for people with disabilities. There has been no new levy since 2013.

HCBDD has provided an after school/summer program through a grant. Funds from the state have allowed the board to purchase a trailer to help disabled people when they need to be in an area where clothing needs to be changed and no facility is present for them. This trailer can be loaned to those who need such services for their loved ones.

Lowery led the group in thanking Brown for her important information and began the business meeting. Sec. Norma Frederick read her minutes from May 17 which were accepted. Treas. Joan Mouser read thank you notes from God’s Life Line and Forest Jackson Public Library. She had her report filed for audit. She reported that we have 38 members and reviewed the purposes for when the club donates such as for speakers and charities. It was stated that a vote to accept our dues as $15 was done in May. ORTA dues are still $30 a year. She is working with Joyce Hubbell with the aim that Hubbell will become the treasurer in the future. It was voted to remove extra names that have volunteered for treasurer duties. This will simplify the information needed by the bank.

Mouser did present an idea of having a tax exempt status for the HCRTA. Mouser has researched and found a long process of paperwork and larger expense than what HCRTA can afford. The idea was shelved for now. She also stated that the attendees have donated $140 toward the scholarship fund. Sandy Moore will be sending letters to the school administration of all county schools when ready. The applications will be for active teachers who might use the fund for further education for themselves or for planning programs in the classroom. The decision to select awardees may be next spring. Mouser and Hubbell state that they would accept dues after the meeting.

Membership Chr. Jean Kearns has invited 3 retired teachers for membership as of this meeting. Bonnie Brielmaier accepted membership.

Annette Ansley sent a report for Kindell to read about the legislative situation concerning STRS. Nothing has been decided about the COLA. Wade Steen will be leaving the board by the end of September and a different person will be appointed by Gov. DeWine. There are still concerns about the undeserved bonuses in the investment area of STRS.

Attendees did sign for volunteer hours in Hardin County since the last meeting. It was reported that 172 hours had been donated. Donations for Angels for the Elderly were collected and will be given to Mary Roby.

Pres. Lowery reminded all for Friday, October 18, to bring bags of wrapped candy for the school teachers of each county and city school as well as socks and slippers for Helping Hands for their annual Christmas gifts. The Oct. 18 meeting will be at the Kenton Elks at noon. The hostess committee will be Chr. Donna Myers, Nancy Musselman, Jean Kearns, and Amy Long. The speaker will be Dr. Katie Benson. Since there was no other business, Melanie Kindell shared a prayer, and the meeting was adjourned. All were wished safe travels.