As your Executive Director, I always worry about gossip and rumors spreading incorrect information about the System. Tracking down rumors has always been hard, and it’s even harder now in the age of the Internet and social media.
There’s one rumor I have heard repeatedly in the last few weeks that I want to address. The rumor is that money will be taken from ATRS to pay for the LEARNS Act that was passed by the Legislature back in the spring, or to pay for new pay raises for teachers.
I don’t know where this rumor started. I’ve been told by some it was reported in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, and by others that it was reported in the Arkansas Times. And still others have said they heard it from an education organization. But so far, no one has been able to point me to a specific news article or source for this rumor.
Let me be as clear and direct as possible: I can find no evidence that there is any truth to this rumor. No one has made any request or directive to ATRS to do this. I can find no evidence that any policymaker in our state has proposed this.
And more importantly, Arkansas law does not allow ATRS to divert your retirement assets to pay for teacher salaries or any other purpose. The funds and assets that we hold for you may be used only to pay retirement benefits and ATRS administrative costs.
If there is ever an attempt to raid ATRS funds for some other purpose, I will immediately let you know. And I am confident that your Board of Trustees would strongly oppose and fight any proposal that threatens the System’s integrity.
If you hear any rumor about ATRS that worries you, please let me know and I will be happy to discuss it. You can contact me at the email address or cell phone number below.
One last thing – last month I had the privilege of speaking to the Clark County Retired Teachers Association at their fall picnic. It was a homecoming of sorts for me, because I grew up there and graduated from Arkadelphia High School. It was wonderful to see former teachers, parents of high school classmates, and colleagues from the school where my mother taught.
Seeing these educators who I have known and respected since childhood, and who rely on ATRS to protect their retirement, was a poignant reminder of the sacred obligation I hold to work for all of the members of ATRS. Special thanks to Glenda Aldridge, CCRTA President; to Bob Thompson, Paul Hankins, and Nick Downey for grilling the hamburgers and hot dogs; to Wanda O’Quinn for the invitation; and to the other CCRTA members for their hospitality. And most of all, thank you to all of the Arkadelphia educators who invested in my childhood and education and helped make me the person I am today.
Thank you for your work and dedication to Arkansas's public schools.
Mark White
Executive Director, ATRS
MarkW@artrs.gov
Office: (501) 621-8853
Cell: (501) 541-2057