The Caddo County retired educators held its monthly meeting on Monday, January 12, at Caddo Kiowa Technology Center in Fort Cobb. There were 14 members present along with five guests. Following the flag salute conducted by president Paula Squires, Harvey Mead gave a devotional on trusting God. Attendance and last meeting minutes were read by reporter Debbie Tyson. Membership chair Donna Weaver had nothing to report, but scholarship chair Julie Mead gave an account on the amount of money there was in the Scholarship Fund.
Marci Derryberry, Hinton Superintendent of Schools, was one of the guests invited and provided part of the program for the month of January. The program for the month was presented by OREA Executive Director, Sabra Tucker, Assistant Director Jennifer Grambrell, OREA Legislative Committee Chair Linda Long, and OREA SW Representative Board of Director Pam Holland. Sabra informed the group of two very important bills for retired educators to watch in the upcoming Legislative session. Senate Bill 174, a 2% cost of living adjustment for retirees is coming out of the Actuary Committee, and Senate Bill 172, would allow the granting of COLAs to go back to the pension systems as long as the systems remain funded at 80% or greater. The Oklahoma State Legislative Session began Monday, February 2. There are several bills dealing with education that both active and retired educators need to be aware of and keep track of.