CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The Chippewa Valley Schools Board of Education and two of its members are facing a lawsuit from a Michigan police officer after allegedly contacting her employer and the U.S. Department of Justice over comments she allegedly made at school board meetings. 

Last Thursday, mother of three Sandra Hernden, represented by the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation, filed a suit against the Chippewa Valley Schools’ Board President Frank Bednard and Board Secretary Elizabeth Pyden in the U.S. District Court in Detroit.  

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Hernden spoke publicly at meetings voicing her disagreements regarding the district’s COVID-19 policies which included sending students home to learn remotely while nearby districts stayed open for in-person education according to Hernden. 

The suit revealed that Hernden warned the board to “take additional care” when interrupting her during the public comment portion of board meetings – citing a media story about a federal court decision on public comment procedures that upholding certain restrictions on public comments violated the First Amendment. 

Hernden also alleged that she faced retaliation from the school board members in the form of a letter to her Harper Woods police supervisor by Pyden back in Dec. 11, 2020. 

“I am writing with a concern regarding how one of your officers conducts herself in her own community. As you know, return to school has been a hotly contested issue, however, we must do what is best for the community at large,” the letter said. 

“As an elected official, I do expect criticism. I also expect people to disagree with me. However, I do not expect the level of disrespect, even after being asked to stop, that has been shown by one of your public safety officers, Sandra Hernden. As a public servant, more is expected. I do not believe that you would like anyone expressing this level of anger, disrespect and veiled racism in your community,” it continued.

Hernden said she endured an internal investigation and she does not know why the letter references racism.

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“My deputy chief pulled me into the office and said we needed to have a talk. I was absolutely in shock and awe. He told me it was forwarded to him from the chief, and they had to look at it and he didn’t think it was going to be a big deal,” Hernden said.

While it was later determined by her employer that she did not violate any departmental rules, another letter was sent to the DOJ by the board president in an email according to the lawsuit. 

“Anything that could be done to curb this behavior by these people would be greatly appreciated by our board, administration, and our community,” said Bernard according to the lawsuit. 

Hernden said one of her sons suffered socially and academically – his GPA dropping from a 3.5 to a 1.5 – and began exhibiting tremendous negative behavioral changes.  

Hernden said she is suing because she does not want other parents silenced.