Candidacy nomination information is now available to PERA members interested in running for any of the four open seats on the PERA Board of Trustees.
The following seats are up for election in 2024:
- State Division—4-year term (to be filled by an active member, currently employed with a non-Higher Education employer in the State Division)
- State Division—2-year term (to be filled by an active member, currently employed at an Institution of Higher Education)
- School Division—4-year term (to be filled by an active member, currently employed in the School Division)
- DPS Division—4-year term (to be filled by a member or retiree, currently employed in or retired from the DPS Division)
If you’re interested in running for a seat on PERA’s Board, you can submit an online candidacy packet request through Feb. 29, 2024.
The PERA Board meets at least five times per year and is responsible for adopting the rules and policies for the administration of PERA. The Board comprises 16 Trustees, and PERA members and retirees directly elect 12 of them. The governor appoints three (with approval by the Senate), and the State Treasurer serves as an ex officio member. Elected Board members serve without pay, but are reimbursed for necessary expenses.
Ballots will be mailed in early May to active members in the State, School and DPS Divisions, and to retired members from the DPS Division.
The Board will announce the results of the election in June, and elected Trustees will begin their terms July 1.
For more information, visit copera.org/board-of-trustees.
Unfair Candidacy Requirements = Unfair Board!
It’s disconcerting that three of the four seats are for those employed or previously employed by non-DPS schools, DPS, or higher education. In other words, educators (their staff, ilk, and lobby) seem overrepresented on the Board, especially since teacher unions have additional clout in the legislature (although actual classroom teachers, who are retired, may wonder what that’s gotten them?).
Additionally, it seems (active) PERA-covered employees are overrepresented on the Board, versus retirees and “inactive members” (those neither currently working for a PERA-covered employer nor retired).
Furthermore, dilution of the Board with political appointments has undoubtedly quashed any chance for a fair COLA.
Finally, but not all inclusive, is the disenfranchisement of surviving dependents, disability beneficiaries, and out of state retires or inactive members either by rule or procedure with unsurmountable petition and signature gathering requirements.
In closing, although the discrimination against or dilution of retiree (or eventually to be retired persons’) is NOT just limited to one’s Division (seriously why are judges allowed a separate seat outside of the State Division?); but also, on membership status (active, inactive, or retired), as well as residency and disabilities which make participation difficult; and more importantly, it seems the “Board,” is just a puppet of politicians and lobbyists to serve as a vehicle to perpetuate the illusion of any fiduciary responsibility existing.
P.S. – The author of this reply to the article would prefer PERA staff NOT offer comment or a rebuttal… please.