The Teachers’ Board is unique among the Commonwealth’s 106 retirement boards. It is the only seven-member board; all others are five-member boards. Also, it is the only board with four (not three) year terms.

Ruberto’s election, or appointment as it is officially known, was voted upon by the first six members of the board. These members are: David Driscoll (chairman), Commissioner of Education; Tim Cahill, State Treasurer; Joe DeNucci, State Auditor; Ellen Hargraves, governor’s appointee; George McSherry, elected by members of the system, and John “Jay” Dow, elected by members of the system.

Ruberto, a science teacher in the Pittsfield public schools, is the wife of the late Anthony Ruberto, a judge of the Northern Berkshire County Court. Mr. Ruberto was also the Berkshire County District Attorney prior to being named a judge. Linda Ruberto is the sister-in-law of Pittsfield Mayor Jim Ruberto, who was elected last November.

Jay Dow, a retired Marblehead teacher, is the senior member of the Teachers’ Board. He was first elected in 1975, and has been reelected every four years since. Dow says that the Board members think very highly of Ruberto.

“Linda treks the 150 miles from Pittsfield for every Board meeting rain or snow,” says Dow. “She’s a very involved member, very cogent in asking the right questions when we interview clients (teachers). She takes great interest with retirement issues and is an active member of the National Council on Teachers’ Retirement. We think so highly of Linda that we have elected her vice chairman of our Board.”

Joan Schloss, the executive director of the Teachers’ Retirement Board, feels that Ruberto brings a unique perspective to the Board.

“As the only active teacher on the Board, Linda brings a unique perspective to the daily challenges confronting Massachusetts educators,” she said. “Throughout her tenure on the Board, Linda has been a consistent advocate for increasing benefits for retirees and survivors.”