Marshall school board president resigns; deadline approaches for recall signatures against Davis, Gamble

After nearly 13 years on the Marshall Public Schools Board of Education, Richard Lindsey is stepping down.

The board president, who was the subject of a recall attempt, recently announced his plans to resign, effective Aug. 15, explaining "it just feels like it’s the right time to step down" as the district is "in really good hands" under the direction of the Board of Education and new superintendent Becky Jones.

Lindsey attended his final meeting as a member of the board July 25. His six-year term had been set to expire in 2026.

"It’s been an interesting run, a lot of fun, some challenges along the way, but it’s time to turn it over to somebody else," Lindsey said Tuesday.

"With a new superintendent starting and with a new strategic plan in place, I wanted to stick around until both of those things were in place, and (now) I just feel like it's the right time to move it to a new group of people," he continued. "We’ve got some fantastic board members we’ve added, a good group representing Albion and Marshall."

The board will have 30 days to appoint a replacement to Lindsey's seat following his departure Aug. 15. The individual appointed would have to run in the November 2024 election should they want to keep the seat.

Applicants are asked to submit a notice of interest explaining why they are seeking the office, why they believe they are qualified and what experience they have with the district and/or public education, along with their resume, to the superintendent's office by noon on Aug. 17.

Board members targeted for recall

Prior to announcing his resignation, Lindsey had been the subject of a recall effort earlier this year, along with fellow Marshall board members Matt Davis and Shawna Gamble.

Lindsey said the recall in no way influenced his decision to step down, but rather it was a conclusion he had reached much earlier.

"I’m sitting here in my office looking at a picture of me handing a diploma to my son and that was really a key factor, I wanted to be there through the end of May of this year (to take part in his graduation)," Lindsey explained. "I had pretty much decided I was going to be done at this point."

Recall petition language, filed in early January by Albion resident and former Mayor Dave Atchison, cites actions taken by the three Marshall board members leading up to and following the district's failed $45.5 million bond measure in November and a closed session of the board in October.

Davis and Gamble are alleged to have violated the Open Meetings Act and school district policy by participating in the Oct. 11 closed session and by voting to approve inaccurate minutes from that meeting.

The petition further states Davis and Gamble disregarded voters' rejection of the proposed school bond by voting to establish a strategic action plan for Harrington Elementary that included Albion College as a partner during the school board's Dec. 13 meeting.

Davis and Gamble also are accused of violating the Michigan Code of Educational Ethics by "failing to confront and take reasonable steps to resolve ethical conflicts involving Board President Lindsey."

The petition states that Lindsey violated Marshall Public Schools policy by acting as an attorney for Albion College while presiding over school board discussions and deliberations related to the college.

The petition also cites a comment Davis made during the Sept. 27 board meeting, stating that it was disrespectful for Davis to tell the public that voting against the proposed bond was the "height of shooting yourself in the foot."

Lindsey maintains there was never any conflict of interest, citing two supporting opinions from the school district's attorneys, including an Oct. 13 opinion from the Thrun Law Firm.

"As soon as I thought there was any issue whatsoever I submitted it to the school attorney, got very specific guidance on what I was supposed to do and I’ve done those things," Lindsey said in February.

"The recaller, Mr. Atchison, instead of simply agreeing to disagree on points of view, has taken up a pitchfork and mob mentality to problem-solving," Davis added in March. "To Mr. Atchison, a difference of opinion must result in an expensive and time-consuming recall election that distracts from the important work of the school district."

Atchison could not be immediately reached for comment Wednesday.

Petition language was reviewed by the Calhoun County Election Commission — comprised of the county clerk, treasurer and probate judge — who determined on Jan. 24 that the language in the recall petition filed against Davis and Gamble was sufficiently clear and factual to be circulated. The same determination for language against Lindsey was reached Feb. 14.

Lindsey, Gamble and Davis subsequently appealed the election commission's decision.

Calhoun County Circuit Judge Brian Kirkham denied the appeals filed by Davis and Gamble in March. Lindsey withdrew his appeal just days before a scheduled hearing in early April, allowing the recall process to move forward.

In order for the petitions to be successful, each must include 2,457 valid signatures, which is 25% of the total of registered voters in the Marshall Public School district who voted in the last gubernatorial election.

In April, Atchison told the Enquirer he planned to begin collecting signatures within a week or so, with hopes of triggering a recall election on the November ballot.

Petition signatures must be collected within a 60-day window that begins with the first signature collected. The petition language itself is valid for 180 days, according to state law.

On Wednesday, Calhoun County Elections Specialist Jill Stout indicated no signatures were received ahead of the Aug. 5 deadline to place a recall election on the Nov. 8 general election ballot.

Atchison has until Sept. 12 to submit signatures to place the recall question on a May 2023 special election ballot, according to Stout.

Contact reporter Greyson Steele at gsteele@battlecreekenquirer.com or 269-501-5661. Follow him on Twitter: G_SteeleBC

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Marshall school board President Richard Lindsey resigns amid recall effort