This is a good one....First of all, if you can't have a tie breaking vote done that night when are you proposeing to have it (Dave?) As a matter of fact if the Principal is a member and was present AND on the board HE/SHE could have been the deciding vote.
Now as I understand it, the new Prez can in every sence of the meaning, recind/resign/ tell the Principal to take this office and.....and at that time either the VP can step up as President or a new election is needed, depends on your by-laws and that is the best I know from Robert's Rules at 11:02 pm
I don't think our friend Dave knows about write in votes and I want to remind him she did yadda yadda the story to spare us ALL the details.
As far as sharing the office and duties of Tres. THAT you need to look in your by-laws. It's not unheard of for the Sec to take on the dual office (I did with the help and support of my Pres and VP) but you really need to check your by-laws.
As far as your Principal, keep it cool and let the new Prez do and handle this issue. Remember, she didn't have to agree to it and he put her in a really "crappy" position. This issue should remain between them. Would she be willing to chair a committee? She can't be all that terrible if she was "hand picked".
Just remember to keep your members informed to cut down on the rumors......
i hate politics too