Redford Union board suspends bylaw for one meeting, re-elects and names officers

Redford Union Schools District No. 1 — At its July 7, 2025 organizational meeting the Redford Union Schools Board of Education voted 5–2 to suspend a board bylaw for one meeting so officers who have served at least three consecutive years could be renominated, then held elections for president, vice president, secretary and treasurer.

The temporary suspension of the bylaw, moved by Miss Miller and supported by Mr. Osowski, was placed on the agenda and required a supermajority roll-call vote. After discussion the board approved the suspension 5–2, clearing the way for nominations and elections for the coming year.

Board members said the suspension was intended to preserve continuity. "When I met with the lawyers, he was telling me a lot of things ... she has all the paperwork and things of that nature. So that's why I made the motion," Miss Miller said, referring to legal and record-keeping continuity. The chair (title recorded in the meeting as chair) clarified the move was not a permanent change: "We are not changing it. We are suspending the bylaw for the purpose of this meeting. To change a bylaw requires a much bigger action. But our bylaw allows us to suspend the bylaws for 1 meeting."

The vote to suspend the bylaw set up the election. After nominations and a secret ballot procedure handled per Robert's Rules of Order, the board elected Evelyn Pridemore as president by a 5–2 vote. Miss Miller was elected vice president 5–2. Miss Johnson was elected board secretary 6–1. Mrs. Dean was elected treasurer 6–1.

The meeting record shows tension in debate over leadership and board practice. Mr. Bailey criticized what he described as repeated choices that limit opportunities for other leaders to develop: "We sit here and we say how much we love our kids, yet we continue to perpetuate the same ... There's no opportunity for leadership." Miss Miller and other supporters of keeping experienced officers framed the suspension as a way to provide continuity during ongoing district matters; Miss Miller said she would "do what is the will of the board and what is best for this district ultimately."

The board chair reviewed election options in advance, saying they could use an audible roll call, written ballots, or a yes/no vote; the board used written ballots that were read aloud in roll call. The chair also noted that the elected officer terms are for one year under the board's election practice.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to amend agenda to include motion to suspend bylaws (to allow sitting officers with 3+ years to be eligible for nomination): moved by Miss Miller; supported by Mr. Osowski; outcome 5–2 (motion carries).

- Motion to suspend bylaws for one meeting (allowing officers with at least three consecutive years' service to be eligible for nomination): moved by Miss Miller; seconded by Mr. Osowski; outcome 5–2 (approved by roll call; required supermajority of 5 of 7).

- Election — President: Evelyn Pridemore elected (5–2).

- Election — Vice President: Miss Miller elected (5–2).

- Election — Secretary: Miss Johnson elected (6–1).

- Election — Treasurer: Mrs. Dean elected (6–1).

The board did not change its bylaws; the suspension applied only to the organizational meeting. Several members asked that the record reflect that suspension for a single meeting does not alter the written bylaw and that a formal bylaw change would require a separate, higher-threshold process.

Ending

Board members and the chair discussed election procedures and the possibility of holding future workshops in alternative locations to increase community engagement, but no formal action on workshop locations was taken within this item. The board then proceeded to take up consent and other business on the agenda.