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Judge Blocks Ohio STRS Board Restructuring With Preliminary Injunction

The order preserves current governance pending a suit that claims a late budget rider unconstitutionally stripped educators of representation.

Overview

  • Franklin County Judge Carl A. Aveni granted a preliminary injunction, stopping the State Teachers Retirement System board changes from taking effect during the lawsuit.
  • The case was brought by the Ohio Education Association, the Ohio Federation of Teachers, and the Ohio Conference of the AAUP challenging the constitutionality of the budget provision.
  • The contested law would cut teacher-elected seats from seven to three and add four political appointees, shifting the 11-member board to an appointed majority by 2028.
  • A different judge had temporarily paused the changes in September, and the new injunction now extends that halt until the case is decided.
  • Supporters of the restructuring say it would stabilize the $91 billion pension after years of turmoil, including an Ohio attorney general complaint against two board members, while unions call the move an unconstitutional power grab.