SPTRFA is governed by a 10-member Board of Trustees that serves as a fiduciary to our members and beneficiaries. Nine of the ten board members are elected by the membership for staggered three-year terms. One ex-officio board member is appointed by the St. Paul Public Schools School Board.
Three board members are elected each year at the Annual Meeting of the Members.
The SPTRFA Board of Trustees oversees the Association’s investments and operations, with the assistance of an Executive Director and staff. They are an elected volunteer group of SPTRFA members.
Members interested in running for a position on the Board of Trustees must file a completed nomination form with 10 SPTRFA member signatures, a 100-word candidate statement, and a picture.
The nomination period is now closed, as of Friday 4:00 p.m., January 20, 2023.
The seats up for re-election are held by Matt Bogenschultz, Thomas Koreltz, Stephanie Pignato.
The following individuals have filed letters of intent for election to the SPTRFA Board of Trustees.
| Stephanie Pignato: I currently teach Pre-Kindergarten, having 36 years of teaching experience. I am a SPTRFA Trustee, a member of the Audit Committee and Executive Committee, and Chair of the Investment Committee. I am focused on protecting, improving, and growing our pension funds for the current employees and retirees who will rely on their pension for retirement security. It is my fiduciary responsibility to work with all stakeholders to gain positive pension legislation, complete my due diligence around investments, and grow our Fund to support our members up to and through retirement. I am Stephanie Pignato; I ask for your vote. |
| W. Matthew Bogenschultz: Since joining the Board in 1999, I have worked to improve retirement benefits for our active and retired members. While chair of the Saint Paul Pension Political Action Committee (formerly the Committee of Nine) for fifteen years I worked to pass important legislation in 2013 and 2018. This year I will advocate for improved cost of living adjustments (COLAs) for our retirees and for the elimination of the early retirement penalty at age 62 with 30 years of service. Before retiring in 2021, I taught ELL for 32 years at Highland Park Elementary. I ask for your continued support. |
| Thomas Koreltz: I am in my 30th year as a teacher with St. Paul Public Schools and am currently serving on the Board of Trustees. As a trustee of our pension, I am acutely aware of the value of our lifetime defined benefit plan as opposed to an uncertain defined contribution plan. I am highly motivated to protect the current defined pension program for our retirees and enhance the pension benefits for current employees. As both a graduate of SPPS (Harding) and an employee, it would be my honor to continue to serve on the Board of Trustees. |