Top GOP lawmaker rallies around conservative school board member facing calls to resign

House GOP Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain of Michigan publicly backed Richmond, Michigan school board member Ray Stier, who faces calls to resign after missing meetings while deployed in the Middle East. Stier had attended meetings remotely during his deployment but eventually lost virtual access, prompting the board to consider removal for a purported disservice caused by his absence. McClain rebuked the board and stressed accountability for educators and administrators alike. On Thursday, she presented Stier with an American flag and a copy of the Congressional Record in recognition of his service. The clash illustrates ongoing battles between Republicans and local school boards over policies they say gatekeep against diversity of thought and accountability. McClain has pressed questions about student privacy policy and its application, including debates tied to transgender students in Virginia. The Richmond board’s controversy centered on bathroom policy discussions, including whether fourth graders might share facilities with transgender eighth graders, a point Stier publicly questioned. He argued the board’s actions may reflect broader tensions affecting districts as they balance safety, governance, and community representation.