To commemorate its 75th anniversary this year, the $9.9 billion Ohio School Employees Retirement System, Columbus, has kicked off a student artwork contest.
On April 13, 1937, then-Gov. Martin L. Davey signed House Bill 217 establishing a statewide retirement system for non-teaching school employees. The retirement system began operations on Sept. 1, 1937, with $5,000 in state-provided startup money.
For the contest, K-12 students in any public or charter school in Ohio are invited to submit artwork, in any medium, depicting a favorite bus driver, cafeteria worker, custodian, educational aide, librarian aide or office staff member.
Pam Burton, senior internal communications coordinator, said a group of about 10 to 12 people from multiple departments thought it would be beneficial for members and retirees to get the state's children involved in the celebration of the retirement system's anniversary.
The school employees are “so proud of what they do for the kids. Ohio kids get to be involved and the members get to feel that pride that the kids acknowledge them and what they do,” Ms. Burton said.
Ms. Burton said winning entries will be posted on the system's website and will be permanently exhibited in the system's building. Entries must be postmarked by May 25, and the entry form is available at www.ohsers.org.
