EXCLUSIVE: Deployed Soldier Targeted by School Board Critics as Wife Speaks Out

Wife says board members called his deployment a “disservice” as he continues serving overseas

RICHMOND, Mich. — The wife of a deployed Richmond Community Schools board member says recent comments from fellow board members criticizing her husband’s absence are “a new low,” as he continues serving overseas.

Amy Stier, whose husband Raymond Stier was elected to the school board in November 2024 and sworn in January 2025, said he has continued participating in meetings virtually despite being deployed.

“He started livestreaming with board meetings… getting up at whatever, two in the morning or 2:30 in the morning his time,” she said, noting the time difference. “He would miss breakfast… and then go about his 8- to 10-hour workday.”

Raymond Stier, a member of the Air National Guard with roughly 30 years of service, serves as the Honor Guard program manager and oversees military funerals across Michigan and parts of Ohio, according to his wife. He was deployed late last year after choosing a timeline that allowed him to remain home for a family milestone.

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During a March 23 board meeting, Amy Stier said at least two board members suggested his absence was harming the district and that he should have resigned.

“One of the members brought up that, you know, with Ray being gone, it’s been quite a disservice to the district,” she said. “Another member… said that it’s unfortunate that my husband did not resign.”

Stier said her husband’s military service was well known to voters before his election.

“He ran on the fact that he is a veteran,” she said. “The fact that my husband’s military… there was no question.”

She also disputed the idea that he has been disengaged, saying he made arrangements before deployment to participate remotely when possible.

“Not that he has to, but if he can,” she said, describing his efforts to remain involved.

According to Stier, board members are unable to remove her husband from his position under Michigan law, but some have continued to express frustration over his absence.

She characterized the board as divided, saying support for her husband appeared split.

“It was basically a tie. It was three and three,” she said. “I consider someone not opening their mouth… I consider that not supporting him.”

She also criticized the board president for not intervening during the discussion.

“If you’re not going to… say, ‘hey, this is inappropriate,’ I consider that not supporting him,” she said.

Stier said no board members have contacted her to apologize.

“Never, ever, ever happen, unfortunately,” she said when asked if she expected an apology.

Beyond the dispute, Stier said concerns about transparency and decision-making influenced her family’s decision to remove their child from the district.

“I don’t feel there was enough transparency,” she said. “I don’t feel it was in best of what the community felt.”

She added that her husband ran for the board to address those concerns.

“It’s not that I wanted to do it,” she said, describing his perspective. “It’s what I feel I needed to do.”

The controversy comes amid broader tensions in school districts across Michigan, where debates over governance, transparency and parental involvement have intensified.

Dave Bondy reached out to Richmond Community Schools Board President Deborah Michon for comment but has not yet received a response.